Anytime there is a holiday, people are more likely to drink a little more, knowing that the next day there is a chance to sleep in and relax. Holidays usually bring out our best as we spend time with our families and friends, but the presence of alcohol can make those days a lot more dangerous than the regular “happy hour” on a Friday night. In fact, holidays are notorious for binge drinking and subsequent drunk driving accidents that take the celebration out of the day and quickly become moments we’d like to forget.
The worst days of the year for binge drinking and drunk driving are:
- New Year’s Day: Despite people drinking before midnight on December 31, drunk driving accidents (40% on average according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) mostly happen on January 1, when people are driving home after the celebration.
- Fourth of July: People start drinking earlier on the 4th, with most drunk driving arrests (40% on average) happening after the fireworks.
- March 18: Much like New Year’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day brings out the shamrocks, leprechauns and drunk drivers – but, not until after midnight the next day.
- Thanksgiving: With food, family and the holiday travel season in full swing, drunk driving fatalities (38% on average) increases.
- Halloween: Adults are trick-or-treating more and more at bars and parties, and then driving home.
Binge drinking may be a part of holiday celebrations, but, there is no reason to drive once you’ve had your fill of the festivities. Statistics show that binge drinking may be causing more drunk driving incidents each year, creating more dangerous days with each holiday that passes. Holidays are a time to celebrate safely with friends and family, and to create lifelong memories for everyone involved. Nobody wants to remember a holiday as a day of tragedy, and by staying sober while driving there can be many happy memories for everyone.
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