New Year’s Eve is a time for celebration! It’s typically a fun-filled day and evening where many people make plans for a nice dinner before making their way to enjoy music, dancing and bubbly drinks as the ball drops at midnight.
While there may be less partying in the streets this year because of a global pandemic and the safest plan of action is to celebrate in our own homes, many will still venture out to meet friends and family at their homes or partake in a fancy meal at their favorite restaurant. All the while the risk for a car accident on New Year’s Eve inherently goes up.
Sadly, on average, 300 people die in drunk driving car accidents in the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. Pedestrians are at risk as well. AAA says more pedestrians are killed on New Year’s Day than any other day of the year.
Though CDC guidelines and medical experts urge Americans to stay home this year for the holidays, if you are going out to celebrate, Boca Raton car accident attorney John Willis lays out a few guidelines to make sure you get home safe.
- Make A Plan – Know where you’re going ahead of time. Especially this year, make any necessary dinner reservations. You want to be on the road for the least amount of time possible.
- Designate A Sober Driver – Always have a designated driver who will make sure everyone gets home safely. If you don’t have one, call a cab, a ride-sharing company such as Uber or Lyft, but know that wait times could be longer on New Year’s Eve. Be patient and get home safe.
- Don’t Drive Sleepy – Even if you or your designated driver is sober, driving when sleepy can be just as dangerous as driving under the influence. If you feel too tired or you’re starting to fall asleep, pull over in a safe place.
- Pay Attention – If you’re the sober driver it doesn’t mean there aren’t drunk drivers on the road. Be aware and pay attention to the other vehicles around you. Get away from drivers who seem impaired and call the police if you notice someone driving erratically.
If you suffered from an injury due to a car accident on New Year’s Eve or any day of the year due to someone else’s negligence, please reach out to Boca Raton car accident law firm Willis Law at willislaw.com or call 24/7 at 561-599-7300.