Keeping Safe Behind the Wheel this Holiday Season

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The holidays, for many of us, means visiting with family and friends all throughout the season. With millions of people traveling on Texas highways, the high volume of traffic means it is important for every driver to be responsible while behind the wheel.

In 2015, TxDOT reported 79 fatal crashes in the month of December caused by drivers under the influence (DUI), with many of them occurring mid-month.

TxDOT reported 79 fatal crashes caused by DUIs in December 2015. #travel #safety #dontdrinkanddrive – Click to Tweet

Being involved in a drunk driving accident can mean serious legal implications for you and serious injuries to others. The last thing you want this holiday season is to ruin the cheer of family and friends by making a bad decision.

While it’s traditional to enjoy a glass of wine to celebrate the season, alcohol consumption can very easily lead to drunkenness. While a vast majority of us may feel “fine” after a couple of drinks, still, as the saying goes, “buzzed driving is drunk driving”. This is especially true for seasonal social drinkers that only have alcoholic beverages at holiday parties, as they may not recognize how much that one drink has affected them.

It is vital that we understand the consequences of drinking and driving – the worst being a life taken too soon. So what can we do to help avoid such circumstances?

It all starts with being responsible for our own actions and being mindful of those around us.

If you are throwing a holiday party this season and alcohol is going to be involved, here are a few things to remember:

  • Food, food and more food. Have plenty of food for your guests throughout the evening. Offering appetizers, dinner, and desserts should be enough. However, if you want to go that extra mile, have some snacks for those sticking around into the late hours of the night. Consuming food while drinking alcohol can help keep your guests in a good state of mind.
  • Designated drivers. While preparing your invitations, mention something about inviting a designated driver if your guests will be drinking. Safety should always come first.
  • Taking a cab. While guests arrive hand out cab numbers just in case they get too tipsy, or if you live in an area that offers services like Uber, let your guests know that this is an option as well.
  • Non-alcoholic beverages. Having plenty of non-alcoholic beverages around can be helpful, especially water. You want your guests to be hydrated throughout the evening. Also, if your party has a bartender, let them know when there is a guest that appears to be consuming too much alcohol, and have them slip a few non-alcoholic beverages their way.
  • Offer your home. While it can be inconvenient at times, the last thing you want is for your guests to get into their cars drunk. Offer your couch to those who need to sleep it off. One night won’t hurt anyone.

As a guest, we can’t leave it all up to the host to make sure we are safe on the road. We need to be responsible, cautious, and keep others in mind when attending parties where alcohol will be served. Use the following guidelines to protect yourself and others:

  • Watch what you drink. Be responsible and take into account the drinks you are consuming. Having more than 3 drinks can take you over the edge. Drink slowly, there is no rush, savor your drinks and enjoy them in a well-paced fashion. Have fun, but don’t get out of hand.
  • Don’t drink and drive. If you know that you will be drinking at a party, designate a sober driver! Ask a friend to come along, and if they don’t feel like it, ask if you can call them in case you feel like you shouldn’t drive after the event. Other options include taking a cab, using Uber or other similar services, or public transportation to get you home safely.

The holiday season is for spending time with those we care most about and enjoying those special moments. As we want to keep ourselves and those around us safe, always remember that drinking and driving can change lives in a matter of seconds.

Also, while on the roads, always remember that there may be those who have been drinking. Keep your seatbelts on at all times and be aware of your surroundings.

The Garcia Law Group wishes everyone a safe and happy holiday season.

Regardless of how safe of a driver you are, sometimes accidents still happen. Our team of experienced lawyers are here to help you with your legal needs. If you are seeking legal action for an accident involving wrongful death, look no further than The Garcia Law Group.

Contact us today at 956-661-8000.