Staying Safe and Avoiding Traffic Accidents on New Year’s

According to the National Safety Council (NSC), 408 people may be killed in the U.S. due to traffic accidents during this year’s New Year’s holiday period. The New Year holiday is traditionally celebrated with parties, all-night bar specials, and champagne toasts. But alcohol remains a top contributing factor to car crashes nationwide. In 2020, 30% of all traffic deaths involved drunk drivers, and in the same year, 49% of traffic deaths also involved alcohol impairment.

While you cannot possibly control the actions of other motorists, you can minimize your risk of getting into an accident during the New Year holiday with these simple safety tips:

Plan Your Trips in Advance

Decide which roads are the most practical to take and what time you should leave. Avoid high-speed areas and heavy traffic, especially if it’s snowing.

Have a Designated Sober Driver

Keeping track of your alcohol intake can be hard, especially when you’re having fun and toasting with everyone on New Year’s Eve. Having a designated driver will ease the uncertainty and pressure of keeping yourself in check. If you can’t find anyone to drive you, call a cab, Uber, Lyft, or AAA, ask a sober friend or family member to get you, or use public transportation. 

Know When to Stop Drinking

You may think that you can drive perfectly fine while intoxicated. However, even if you drink regularly, alcohol will always impact your psychomotor or information-processing and depth-perception skills. Each individual metabolizes alcohol differently. For instance, while you may have to drink four drinks for your blood alcohol concentration to reach the legal limit, your friend may only need to have one drink.

Report Suspected Drunk Drivers

Call 911 or the local police if you see a vehicle that’s moving too fast or slow, weaving across lanes, traveling the wrong way, or being driven in a reckless manner. The driver may be drunk or fatigued and reporting them can help prevent a serious crash.

Consider Staying at Your New Year’s Party Destination

If you’re planning on going to a New Year’s Eve party at a bar, a friend’s home, or somewhere else other than your home, consider staying there or at a motel or hotel that’s within walking distance of the venue.

Be a Responsible Party Host

If you’re serving alcohol, consider not serving it an hour before the party’s end, and never serve underage people or those who are already too intoxicated. Try to find designated drivers or call a cab for intoxicated guests. Most importantly, do not let an intoxicated guest drive a vehicle.

Get Legal Guidance From a Skilled NYC Personal Injury Lawyer Now

Get in touch with the NYC personal injury lawyer at Lipsig, Shapey, Manus & Moverman if you have been injured or lost a loved one in a New Year’s accident due to another’s negligent acts. We provide free initial case reviews where you can learn about your options for compensation. To set up your appointment with our NYC personal injury lawyer, please send us a message online or dial 212-285-3300.