Ho! Ho! Ho! Tis the season for holiday parties and lots of cheer with our families, friends, and co-workers. Because of the ongoing Covid pandemic still affecting the world, many people may choose to stay home again this year.
If you do decide to travel, there are certain things you should consider before driving. Every vehicle should be in good running condition and it is advisable to be prepared for any roadside emergency such as a flat tire or running out of gas.
Driving while intoxicated is never a good idea, especially during the holidays, when there are more [stressed] commuters on the roadway. However, if you plan to have any alcoholic beverages while attending an event, always designate a sober/designated driver to ensure everyone makes it home safely. If a sober/designated driver is not available when you are ready to leave, rather than ending up with a charge of “Driving Under the Influence (DUI),” and before you drunk dial your ex, summon an Uber or Lyft to get you home safely. The last thing you want as a memory around the holidays is that time you were stopped drunk at a DUI checkpoint, arrested, and needed to hire a lawyer. Even worse, you could cause a motor vehicle accident injuring yourself and others. Alcohol impairment or drunk driving is responsible for approximately 1/3 of car accident fatalities during the holidays.
Some tips for traveling safely during the holidays are:
- Have an Emergency/First Aid kit;
- Leave early, plan ahead for heavy traffic and/or bad weather;
- Make sure every person in the vehicle is properly buckled up;
- PUT YOUR CELL PHONE AWAY (many distractions occur while driving, but cellphones are the biggest one);
- Always practice defensive driving;
- Designate a sober/designated driver to ensure safety of everyone; or call Uber or Lyft to ensure your safe return home.
If you do find yourself needing an attorney at the holidays, or at any time, contact Murphy & Landon for a free consultation at: 866-939-8100 or 302-472-8100.
