50 People Killed in DUI Crashes During the New Year Long Weekend

The holidays are supposed to be a time of cheer and joy with friends and family. Unfortunately, many families and friends did not get the chance to see their loved ones. During the 2019 New Years long weekend in California, careless drivers put others at risk by driving under the influence, which lead to multiple fatalities. The San Francisco Chronicle reported that CHP officers arrested 1,140 people statewide who drove under the influence of alcohol or another drug while another 50 people killed in crashes involving DUI drivers during the long New Years weekend.
 
Driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol can cause major consequences to the driver, passengers, and innocent bystanders, such as bodily injury or death, court fines, high insurance premiums, jail time, and more. Therefore, DUI checkpoints have become frequent strategies for police to screen drivers and perform sobriety tests on suspected drivers to reduce harm to others.
 

DUI Rates Increase

 
Although the amount of people who use taxis, Uber, and Lyft as a method of transportation while intoxicated have increased, the amount of DUI drivers arrested also increased from a year ago. CHP reported that in the 2017 new year holiday, 936 people were arrested and 40 people killed statewide relating to driving under the influence.
 
The increase of arrests this year could be partly due to the new year’s long weekend, with New Years Eve falling on Monday and New Years Day on Tuesday this year.
 

Tips for Preventing DUI Accidents

 
There are some things you can do to prevent an arrest for driving under the influence or being a victim of an accident involving a DUI driver. Taking these helpful tips next year, may help reduce the reported 50 people killed in crashes involving DUI drivers during the long weekend.

• Use a taxi service, such as an Uber, or Lyft, as a convenient, inexpensive, and safe transportation service.
• Ride with a reliable designated driver who has not had any alcohol to ensure a safe trip back home.
• Hand over your car keys to a trusted member upon arrival at an event to reduce the temptation to drive after consuming alcohol.
• Party hosts can cut off alcohol supply early to allow their guests to sober up and drive.
• Book a hotel or sleep over to avoid worrying about how you will get home after consuming alcohol
• Avoid driving during high peak holidays where there is a higher chance of DUI drivers on the road, such as on New Years Eve/Day, Christmas, Fourth of July, and Thanksgiving.

 

Consult with an Experienced Lawyer

 
Unfortunately family and friends are to mourn the loss of 50 people killed in crashes involving DUI drivers during the long weekend. You can take some measures to ensure you and your family are safe on the road.
 
Driving under the influence can not only carry heavy fines and jail time, but it can also put other drivers as risk for bodily injury and even death. If you have suffered injuries or have lost a loved one from a result of a drunk driver, contact the experienced lawyers at Sweet Law Group. With over 40 years of legal experience, our firm knows what it takes to achieve justice and compensation deserved. Call our office for a confidential consultation (800) 203-3061.