Even with smaller gatherings and limited travel caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, there will likely be holiday merrymaking – and imbibing – in 2020 nonetheless. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were 285 drunk driving deaths during the period from Christmas Day to New Year’s Day, 2018. Each and every one of those deaths – and all deaths caused by drunk drivers – are fully preventable. In order to prevent them, we must all take accountability for driving only while sober.

The holidays can be an easy time to slip on your normally cautious approach to drinking and driving. Keep these tips top of mind:

• If you volunteer to serve as a sober driver, stick to the pledge fully. Don’t drink after making this commitment.
• If you happen to see a driver you suspect is drunk, call the police and report the vehicle.
• Don’t let friends and family drive while intoxicated. Make sure guests have a safe ride home after celebrating the holidays with you.

You may be social distancing and not planning to have any large gatherings this year. It’s important to remember that even if you are at home having a few celebratory drinks with your spouse, roommate or small group of friends, it’s still important to have a plan: Don’t find yourself tempted to drive because you didn’t make plans for dinner. Have the evening planned out so that drunk driving doesn’t unexpectedly come up in the course of the celebration. Even buzzed driving can be dangerous, so it is important to plan ahead. Family and friends may not want to hail a rideshare because of COVID-19, so they’ll need a sober driver with them or to have other arrangements for sober transportation. With a little planning and care, you and your friends can celebrate the holidays in 2020 without endangering your lives and the lives of other motorists on the road.

To arrange a consultation at McPhillips Fitzgerald & Cullum LLP, please contact us. Our law firm has offices in New York and in Florida. We represent people who are facing criminal charges related to DUI and other traffic violations.

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