Holiday Drunk Driving Accidents

Drunk Driving Accidents Common Over the Holidays

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there are more drunk drivers on the roads during the holidays than at any other time of the year. Drunk driving accidents spike throughout the month December, and continue on into the New Year. Research conducted by the NHTSA indicates that while normally there are over 30 car accident fatalities a day caused by drunk driving, that number jumps to over 40 during the Christmas holiday, and over 50 for New Years. In South Carolina, the NHTSA estimates that 44 percent of South Carolina’s traffic fatalities are directly related to drunk driving, which is more than 10 percentage points higher than the national average. South Carolina law enforcement will be out in full force this holiday season on the lookout for drunk drivers, and they advise the public to refrain from drinking and driving and to encourage others to do the same.

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Protecting Yourself Against Drunk Drivers

The South Carolina Department of Public Safety operates its Sober or Slammer campaign year round, and made over 27,000 DUI arrests in the last year alone. They advise the general public to be on the lookout for drunk drivers over the holiday season, and offer these tips on how to spot a drunk driver:

• Watch for drivers making unusually wide turns and straddling the centerline
• Drunk drivers often drive with their head partially out their window, or have their car windows rolled all the way down, even in cold weather
• A drunk driver may either drive very fast, or they may drive exceedingly slow, coming to complete stops for no apparent reason
• If you see driver swerving back and forth, or crossing into opposing lanes of traffic, there is a good chance that they are impaired

If you see a drunk driver, stay out of their way, and at the first available opportunity, pull over and dial 911 or ‘HP’ to reach the SC State Highway Patrol.

Contact Our Office for Assistance

If you or someone you love is injured in an accident with a drunk driver, contact Anastopoulo Law Firm right away. Our experienced car accident attorneys represent victims of drunk drivers throughout our state, and can help you to hold responsible parties accountable for their actions. With offices in Charleston and throughout South Carolina, we can help you get the compensation for your injuries you deserve. Call Akim Anastopoulo today for a free review of your case.