This year, from August 21st through Labor Day on September 7th, law enforcement will be cracking down on drunk driving as a part of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)’s Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign. [1] Labor Day weekend and other summer holidays typically see lots of highway travel, as well as an increase in drunk driving.[2] The NHTSA’s campaign against drunk driving is an effort to keep all drivers safer and unite law enforcement nationwide against the drunk driving epidemic.[3]
Drunk driving causes a significant percentage of crash fatalities in the United States.[4] Specifically, about one-third of all crash fatalities in the U.S. are a result of driving with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher.[5] In 2013, these crashes killed more than 10,000 people, and 424 of these fatalities occurred during the three-day Labor Day weekend.[6]
Avoid Drunk Driving
Avoiding drunk driving altogether is always the safest plan. Even if you think you might be okay to drive, it is best to have a backup plan and use it. Make plans to get home or stay the night somewhere before you start drinking, or choose a designated driver before drinking begins. [7] Taxis, sober friends, and even smartphone apps can also be a safe way to get home if you have been drinking. [8] It is also important to keep others safe. You should always report drunk drivers on the road, and never let friends drive home drunk.[9] For more safe alternatives to drunk driving, visit http://www.trafficsafetymarketing.gov/CAMPAIGNS/Drunk+Driving/Drive+Sober+or+Get+Pulled+Over/.
Conclusion
Drunk driving is completely preventable if you plan ahead and make responsible decisions. For more information about Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over, visit www.TrafficSafetyMarketing.gov.
About the Author: Christopher Guedri is a trial attorney with the personal injury law firm of Allen & Allen in Richmond, VA. Guedri was named “Lawyer of the Year” by Best Lawyers in America for 2014-2015 in the Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs category in Richmond, VA. He is a Fellow for the prestigious International Academy of Trial Lawyers and has an AV rating from Martindale Hubble. Additionally, Chris Guedri has been listed in the “Legal Elite” by Virginia Business Magazine and as a “Virginia Super Lawyer” by Richmond Magazine.
[1] http://www.trafficsafetymarketing.gov/LaborDayWeekend.
[2] Labor Day PEAK Fact Sheet. http://www.trafficsafetymarketing.gov/LaborDay-PEAK.
[7] http://www.trafficsafetymarketing.gov/CAMPAIGNS/Drunk+Driving/Drive+Sober+or+Get+Pulled+Over/4th+of+July/2015+Fact+Sheet+Enforcement.
