It is never wise to drink and drive. Remember that drinking and driving is a factor in nearly half of all fatal car accidents. If that is not enough to get people to skip drinking and driving this holiday season, then they should be made aware of a campaign that is going to crack down on drunk drivers not just in California but throughout the country.
The Effort Begins December 18th and Runs Through the First of the Year
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) started their annual “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over,” enforcement campaign. The purpose is to remind drivers what waits for them if they drive while drunk. There will be an increased police presence on roads from December 18th through January 1st, 2021.
How Serious is Drunk Driving?
The good news is that fatal drunk driving accidents are on the decline. In 2019, they not only decreased by more than 5%, but they were also at their lowest rate since NTHSA started reporting on alcohol-related deaths in 2019.
That said, remember that driving patterns and behaviors have changed significantly in the past year, as people deal with health emergencies and stay-at-home orders. Those drivers who are on the road might be more likely to take chances, as they are already taking a chance by being out at all. The NHTSA worries that this means there will actually be an increase in the number of car, truck, and motorcycle accidents involving drunk or drugged driving.
In 2019 alone, more than 200 people died in drunk-driving related accidents between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. It is illegal to drive while impaired by drugs or alcohol – even in states like California where it is legal to have and use marijuana. Remember that prescription medications can impact your driving too.
Drunk Driving is 100% Preventable
There are a number of reasons that the NHTSA says they focus on drunk driving. The main reason is that this is an issue that is 100% preventable. While you cannot prevent many other types of true accidents, when it comes to crashes caused by drinking, they are preventable. By following through with these events, they are not only working on keeping drunk drivers off the road for their own safety, but for the safety of others, too.
More About the Campaign
This year, the campaign will include a $9.5 million pad advertising budget that started December 16th and will run throughout the end of the year. The public service announcements were made in both English and Spanish.
If you are injured in a car accident, whether it occurs during the holiday season or not, you should work with an experienced personal injury attorney who can help you. That attorney is Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas. Call us now at 909-982-0707 to request a free legal consultation.
