How Can You Reduce the Risk of Getting into a Drunk Driving Accident on New Year’s Eve?
It wouldn’t be a New Year’s Eve party without popping the cork off a bottle of champagne and toasting everyone in attendance. Although there is nothing wrong with ringing in 2018 over a few cocktails with friends, those who fail to do so responsibly and then drive themselves home afterward put everyone on the road around them at risk of a devastating collision.
According to the South Carolina Radio Network , our state has some of the highest rates of traffic fatalities caused by impaired motorists in the country. Thus, avoiding alcohol-related collisions is a much bigger concern for local residents than it is for Americans elsewhere.
If you were involved in a drunk driving accident in South Carolina and you want to hold the liable party accountable, contact Upstate Lawyer. Doug Churdar has been practicing law in The Palmetto State for 25 years. Call 864-233-0203 to schedule a case evaluation with a personal injury attorney in Greenville.
Read on to learn how you can reduce the risk of getting into a drunk driving collision on New Year’s Eve:
- By Monitoring Your Friends’ Alcohol Intake
If someone else will be driving you home after the clock strikes midnight, make sure he or she does not drink alcohol over the course of the evening. Even if your friends do not appear to be intoxicated, they likely are if you witnessed them drinking several cocktails or beers before ringing in the New Year.
- By Hosting a Party at Home
When was the last time you hosted a big bash at your house? It might seem like a lot of work, but if you opt for a potluck-style party, you can even serve a three-course meal at the start of the evening without breaking the bank.
Just make sure you can provide sleeping accommodations for those who need to spend the night, and always overestimate how much alcohol you think you will need. Otherwise, you could run out of drinks at some point during the evening, and some guests might feel tempted to drive to the nearest liquor store to restock despite having had a few cocktails themselves.
- By Acting as Designated Driver
If you do not have the space to host a big party at home but you still want to spend time with friends, offer to be designated driver (DD) for the evening. As long as you are with people you love, you will not need a healthy buzz to enjoy yourself.
Likewise, you and your and friends can agree on a few perks for whomever takes on the role of DD. For example, if you want to go out for a nice dinner before stopping by a few parties, maybe everyone else could pitch in to cover the DD’s meal.
Sadly, even if you do everything in your power to avoid causing a drunk driving accident, you cannot rely on others to do the same. If you were in a collision with an impaired motorist this holiday season, contact Upstate Lawyer for unparalleled legal counsel during every stage of the claims process.
Call 864-233-0203 to schedule a consultation with a car accident lawyer in Greenville. If you want to learn more about alcohol-related collision claims in South Carolina, visit the USAttorneys website.
