Thanksgiving is a wonderful holiday filled with family, friends, and loved ones coming together during the bitter cold to share a warm meal with warmer hearts. As we’re sure you’re well aware by now, Thanksgiving is one of the busiest holidays of the year for travel across all mediums: planes, trains, and automobiles. However, plenty of issues and Denver car accidents come as a result of all of that travel. According to the Colorado Department of Transportation, roughly 80% of fatal car accidents involved an inebriated driver.
Every year, people have one too many drinks at dinner and think they’re fine to drive home. This is irresponsible and negligent on the driver’s part for not showing restraint by curbing their alcohol consumption before driving as well as getting behind the wheel while impaired. The host shares blame as well since they didn’t stop their guest from driving while intoxicated. Will some people drive with a BAC over 0.08% and make it home safely? Statistically speaking, yes, they probably will, but that doesn’t detract from the illegality of the act in general.
Additionally, with the consequences being, at minimum, a DUI on your driving record, and the worst-case scenario being a wrongful death accident, and/or your own fatality, is it really worth the extra egg nog or glass of pinot at dinner? A DUI means the suspension of your license, a re-education course, potential damage to your car and other property, and an increase in your car insurance policy. Worse yet, do you really want to be responsible for the death of another person because of your careless acts?
As is tradition, Colorado law enforcement agencies are ramping up their efforts to catch any potentially intoxicated drivers on the roads before they can cause harm to themselves or others. You’ll be sure to see more checkpoints on the roads to catch any driver who thought they were sober enough to drive after having a few too many drinks during the day and evening. This is done to save others from harm and keep roadways safe.
If you want to drink, and we won’t stop you, arrange for a designated driver to get you home safely; it’s that easy. With the advent of Uber and Lyft in Denver and the surrounding area, it’s much easier to forget your keys at home and still enjoy the holiday without sacrificing any merriment or putting any other people in danger.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a DUI in Denver, contact our offices immediately to speak with a Denver personal injury attorney so that we can review the details of your case to protect your rights. Stay safe this holiday season.