Avoiding Drunk Drivers and Staying Safe on New Year’s Eve
The holidays are a special time when we get together to celebrate with family and friends. Those times of celebration almost always include alcohol, so on New Year’s Eve, the advice “drink responsibly” could not be more important. In the state of Tennessee, there have been 4,606 alcohol-related crashes this year. Unfortunately, on New Year’s Eve, we are bound to see more.
New Year’s Eve is the one night of the year that you can almost guarantee that you will encounter other drivers who are impaired by alcohol. At Bailey & Greer, PLLC, we want our clients and neighbors to enjoy the holiday in the safest possible way, so we want to share these tips with you.
Tips for defensive driving on New Year’s Eve (and the rest of the year)
- Give other drivers all the room they need. Keeping a safe driving distance between you and the car ahead of you is always important, particularly if you notice the car in front of you seems to be driving erratically. You always want plenty of room to stop should something happen up ahead.
- Be attentive as you drive. There’s no need to be tense and expect to encounter a drunk driver at every intersection, but be aware of your surroundings, and be ready to take evasive action if and when it becomes necessary.
- Keep an eye out for drunken pedestrians too. There will be people walking around who have had too much to drink, and they may behave in erratic and unpredictable ways. Drive slowly around pedestrians, for their sake and for your own.
- Be easy to see. Use your turn signals, make sure your headlights are on, and do not be shy about using your car horn if you need to.
- Call emergency services if you see something. If you encounter a driver who seems to be intoxicated, ask your passenger to dial 911, or pull over to the side of the road and dial it yourself. Remember that you are not only protecting yourself, but you are protecting everybody else on the road!
Don’t drink and drive. If you plan to go out and drink, call an Uber or borrow your friend’s couch for the night. If you see that a friend has had too much to drink, call them a ride so that they do not drive drunk.
The holidays are a time of celebration, joy, and cheer. At the law firm of Bailey & Greer, PLLC, we want you to stay safe during the holidays and throughout the year. If you have been injured in an auto accident with a drunk driver, we are here to protect your rights and offer legal advice specific to your case. You are encouraged to contact us at 901-680-9777 to schedule a free consultation with one of our Memphis or Jackson auto accident attorneys to answer your legal questions today.
As founder of Bailey & Greer, R. Sadler Bailey has battled his fair share of insurance giants and wrongdoers and has achieved numerous multimillion-dollar results for the victims of catastrophic injuries and their families. What’s more, he has been involved in more than 40 appellate court decisions affecting Tennessee personal injury law, including many landmark appearances before the Tennessee Supreme Court.
Read more about R. Sadler Bailey