Each Memorial Day, we take time to commemorate members of our armed forces who lost their lives during service. However, most people also associate the holiday with an extra day off work and a good time had with family and friends. Memorial Day is notorious for an increase in auto accidents related to driving under the influence. Unfortunately, many of these accidents lead to serious injuries or death.
Data from the National Center for Health Statistics indicate that between 2011 and 2016, auto accident fatalities on Memorial Day Weekend averaged 11.04% of the total fatalities in the month of May. Local police departments across the nation set up DUI checkpoints and enact no-refusal breath tests to cut down on accidents, but they still occur. Arizona is no stranger to these problems, but police are doing their best to keep people safe.
AUTHORITIES HOPE TO CURB ACCIDENTS
Last year, police in Arizona arrested 481 people on suspicion of DUI during the three-day weekend. This number was down from the year before, but authorities still have their work cut out for them if they plan on putting a stop to accidents on the road. In addition to setting up DUI checkpoints, police will be on the lookout for erratic driving, speeding, and other traffic violations. In Arizona, there are also penalties for refusing to take a breathalyzer during a traffic stop. These no-refusal weekends keep a lot of people off the roads.
However, even with all the added enforcement by police departments, drunk drivers still manage to slip by. Some intoxicated motorists are even able to make it through DUI checkpoints. When this happens, drivers are at serious risk of injury. Due to the delayed reaction time of drunk drivers, even sober drivers may not be able to avoid an accident. When injuries occur, drivers have a right to seek compensation from the drunk driver.
HOW TO STAY SAFE
If you have Memorial Day plans that require travel, it’s important you take extra precautions. Remember, just because you’re not drinking doesn’t mean everyone else isn’t. Before you hit the roads, keep a few things in mind.
- Forget about your phone – Avoiding distracted driving is a great way to stay safe, especially when there are more drunk drivers on the road.
- Keep your distance – Give yourself a little more distance between other cars. This will help you avoid an accident if you see one about to occur.
- Don’t drive tired – Memorial Day can be draining. Plan ahead to ensure you don’t have to drive long distances while exhausted.
- Appoint a designated driver – If you plan on drinking at all, have a designated driver lined up.
Being prepared is the best way to avoid a serious accident. Following these tips will help keep you, your family, and other drivers safe.
A PHOENIX AUTO ACCIDENT LAWYER CAN PROTECT YOUR RIGHTS
If you sustain injuries in an accident caused by a drunk driver, you deserve compensation for your medical bills, pain, suffering, and lost wages. It’s important you hire an experienced personal injury attorney who can negotiate a settlement and take your case to court, if necessary. At Miller Kory Rowe, LLP, our attorneys are skilled at accident injury claims. Contact us today at (602) 648-4045 to set up a consultation.