Updated on: 3/6/2019
Thanksgiving is the deadliest holiday on the roads in the United States, casting a shadow over an otherwise joyous occasion. For that reason, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and its partners are running a safety campaign, “Make It to the Table: Don’t Drink and Drive this Thanksgiving Eve.”
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, the Thanksgiving holiday – especially the night before Thanksgiving – is a big night for drinking (and driving). From 2012 to 2016, over 800 people died in drinking and driving crashes during the Thanksgiving holiday period (6 p.m. Wednesday to 5:59 a.m. Monday).
Wondering how you can avoid a perilous situation on Thanksgiving weekend? Follow these NHTSA tips if you’ve been drinking or see a possible drunk driver.
- Planning in advance and designating a sober driver before the first drink.
- Using public transportation, a taxi, ride share service, or your community’s sober ride program to get home safely.
- Downloading NHTSA’s SaferRide mobile app available on Google Play for Android devices and Apple’s iTunes Store for IOS devices. SaferRide allows users to call a taxi or a predetermined friend, and identifies the user’s location so he or she can be picked up.
- If you see a drunk driver on the road, contact local law enforcement. Whether riding or driving, always wear your seat belt.
If you see a suspected drunk driver on the roadway this holiday season – or any time of the year, really – please call 9-1-1 to report the driver to authorities. It could save lives and help everyone enjoy a safe and happy holiday.
If You’ve Been Hit By A Drunk Driver
Remember these key things if you’ve been hit by a drunk driver:
- Call police immediately. When approaching the drunk driver, be cautious as they could be unpredictable and violent. When you talk to police, tell them you suspect the driver is drunk.
- Get medical attention ASAP. Treatment is the main source of evidence if you decide to file a personal injury claim. Do not wait, even if you don’t think it’s that serious.
- Contact a personal injury attorney. Getting legal help can mean the difference in achieving the full value of your claim. Studies have shown that those who hire attorneys will usually receive three times more than those who don't.
If you’re wondering what to do after being injured in a drunk driving accident, you’re not alone. Insurance companies don’t always have your best interest in mind, and it’s important to talk to someone you can trust.
Drunk driving accident attorney Chris Davis and the legal team at the Davis Law Group, P.S., know how to get people who have been injured the compensation they deserve. Call (206) 727-4000, use the chat feature below or fill out our online form on this page for a free case evaluation.
