Risks of Drunk Driving Accidents Increase Over the Holidays

As the winter holiday season is here, so will be the calendars full of gatherings, parties, and similar events with family, friends, and coworkers. While this time should be celebratory and enjoyable, too many individuals have their holiday season marred by injury in auto accidents. Many of these collisions are, unfortunately, completely preventable as they are caused by drunk drivers.

Roads can be deadly on holidays in Rhode Island

Many holiday revelers make the decision to get behind the wheel of a car after they have had too much to drink at a party or gathering. Driving while impaired by alcohol is extremely dangerous as drivers can lose their ability to adequately control their vehicle and to judge road and traffic conditions. The following behaviors are common in drunk drivers:

• Swerving in and out of a designated lane;
• Driving without headlights;
• Driving too fast or too slow;
• Sudden braking or failure to notice the need to stop;
• Driving the wrong way down a one-way street or highway;
• Failing to obey traffic signals.

All of these can easily lead to devastating RI car collisions and injuries.

Law enforcement cannot prevent all drunk driving in Providence

Driving under the influence (DUI)1 is against Florida law and Rhode Island law and law enforcement departments tend to ramp up efforts to prevent and stop drunk drivers around the holidays. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has a nationwide campaign called “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over,”2 which is meant to increase enforcement and deter individuals from driving drunk. This campaign focuses on holidays, including the period from December 15th through New Year’s Day.

Even with sobriety checkpoints and educational efforts, thousands of drunk drivers go undetected each day and continue to cause serious and often fatal injuries around the holidays. These drunk drivers in Rhode Island should be held fully accountable and all victims of these RI auto accidents deserve full compensation for all of their injury-related losses. Recovery in a civil claim is separate from any criminal charge a drunk driver may face, however, so any victims should consult with an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible.

If you were injured in a Rhode Island car accident, call a Rhode island car accident lawyer or personal injury attorney in Rhode Island. A Rhode Island car accident lawyer or RI personal injury attorney can help you get the compensation you deserve.