Drunk driving is a preventable and unsafe habit. People generally know that driving after drinking is neither safe nor legal, but they gamble with their safety and the safety of others for convenience.
Generally speaking, sober motorists should always be on the lookout for signs of intoxication in other motorists to limit their risk of a preventable wreck. There are certain times when monitoring for intoxicated motorists becomes particularly important.
Statistically, drunk driving crash risk is higher at certain times of the day and at different points throughout the year. The summer months see the highest percentage of fatal drunk driving crashes (28%) out of any season. What factors increase drunk driving risk during the summer?
1. School breaks
College and high school students are usually off from school during the summer months. While some students have summer jobs, many others spend the summer socializing. They may misuse their freedom and endanger others with their choices.
Summer activities may include raucous parties where they consume dangerous amounts of alcohol. The increased presence of teenage drivers on the road with fewer daily obligations increases the risk of a drunk driving crash.
2. Summer holidays
Many of the most dangerous days for drunk driving are holidays. For example, many people drink at Fourth of July barbecues or fireworks displays and then try to drive home afterward.
Memorial Day, Labor Day and possibly even Juneteenth may also see an increase in drunk driving. Summer holiday celebrations fueled by alcohol put everyone at increased risk of preventable crashes.
3. Outdoor summertime activities
Some of the most popular summer pastimes have traditions that involve alcohol. Baseball and golf, for example, each have participants and fans who may drink certain types of alcoholic beverages.
Outdoor activities in general may inspire people to turn to chilled cocktails or frosty beers as a way to cool down in the summer heat. The people drinking while playing or watching a sport then need to drive home afterward.
When drunk drivers cause crashes, the people affected may have significant expenses to address. Obtaining support while looking into options for compensation can help people limit their losses after a drunk driving crash.