With the start of a new year, many people like to make resolutions that will improve their lives. For some people, a popular resolution is to give up a bad habit like smoking. Others resolve to add something new to their lives, such as a hobby or fitness regimen. One resolution that everyone should have on his or her list is not to drink and drive.
While the dangers of drinking and driving have been shouted from the rooftops and posted on nearly every surface in the past decade or more, each year too many lives are still lost. Even though drunk driving fatalities have decreased in the last ten years by a third, there are still an estimated 10,000 people killed each year. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2016, every 50 minutes in the United States, one person was killed in an alcohol-related crash. Put another way, 29 people die every day because someone decided to drive under the influence.
The Super Bowl, in fact, is one of the most dangerous days to be on the road! Surprised? This pigskin palooza ranks right up there with Cinco de Mayo, New Year’s Eve, St. Patrick’s Day, Thanksgiving Eve, and Valentine’s Day as holidays where people are most likely to binge drink and drive. It makes sense when you think that most Super Bowl parties start in the early afternoon and continue well into the evening. February weather conditions and fans’ disappointed in their team’s efforts were also considered contributing factors.
So remember, whether your team wins or loses it is important to remember, fans do not let fans drive drunk! To keep your family and friends, safe this Super Bowl, heed the following tips:
- Designate an MVP. If you are headed to a Super Bowl party make sure that you have an MVP or sober designated driver to get you home. Make sure that person has your car keys before you start drinking or have him or her drive you to and from the party.
- Put a rideshare service on your team. Do not live where cabs or public transit are plentiful? Chances are your area is probably serviced by at least one rideshare Uber and Lyft are two such services that will pick you up and take you to and from the party safely. You can even download the app for each company on your smartphone!
- No chip shots allowed. Do not adopt the mindset that you are not quite blitzed and you only need drive a short distance to get home. No matter the distance, do not take a chance on a fumble. Call a ride or if it is truly that short of a distance—walk!
- Bench yourself. If you do not need to venture out on Super Bowl Sunday, do not go out. Even if you may be sober, there are bound to be lots of folks on the road who are not.
If your loved one was seriously injured or killed in a collision with a drunk driver, the seasoned Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Attorneys at Hubbard & Kurtz, L.L.P. can help. Our experienced team of Kansas City Injury Attorneys will make sure that your rights are protected and that your family receives the compensation it deserves. You can trust the Kansas City Personal Injury Attorneys at Hubbard & Kurtz, L.L.P. to work for you just as they have assisted countless other injury victims around the area, in both Kansas and Missouri. To schedule a consultation with one of our skilled injury attorneys, contact Hubbard & Kurtz, L.L.P. today at (816) 472-4673.
