The holiday season is an important time for people to enjoy the company of their families, catch up with friends, and reflect on all the joys of the past year. However, with the large increase in days off, office parties and family get-togethers, comes an increased risk of drunk driving accidents. Incidents of drunk driving increase sharply every December, and for this reason the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) created the “Booze It & Lose It” campaign in 1994 to crack down on drunk driving and keep the roads safe during the holidays.
According to NCDOT, 378 people lost their lives in North Carolina last year due to drunk driving accidents, and 35 of those fatalities came in December alone. Furthermore, while the total number of drunk driving deaths in North Carolina is steadily decreasing every year, accidents involving drunk drivers still make up 28% of fatalities on our state’s roads. Here are some other drunk driving statistics from the U.S Department of Transportation to keep in mind this December:
- On Christmas and New Year’s Day, drunk drivers are involved in 40% of all traffic deaths. This rate is 12% higher than at any other point in December
- During the month of December, drunk driving accidents cause an average of 27 deaths per day nationwide
- 300 Americans die every year from drunk driving accidents in the days surrounding Christmas and New Year’s Day alone
The “Booze It & Lose It” campaign began 20 years ago with the intention of raising awareness about the dangers of drunk driving and encouraging responsibility on the part of all North Carolina drivers. The campaign shares stories from those affected by drunk driving and partners with law enforcement agencies in nine North Carolina counties to step up enforcement and get intoxicated drivers off the road. In addition to the tragic stories and dangerous statistics of those affected by drunk driving, “Booze It & Lose It” also highlights the severe penalties faced by drivers charged with DUI or DWI, which include a maximum $10,000 fine, a year-long revocation of your driver’s license, having your car impounded and even possible jail time.
At Daggett Shuler, North Carolina Personal Injury Law Firm, we want to wish all of our friends, clients and members of the Piedmont community a safe and happy holiday season. NEVER get behind the wheel if you’ve had anything to drink and designate a sober driver if you know you will be going out with friends or colleagues. The “Booze It & Lose It” campaign runs from Friday, December 12th 2014 through Sunday, January 4th, 2015. During this period, sobriety checkpoints and law enforcement presence on North Carolina’s roads will be greatly increased.
If you or a loved one are injured by a drunk driver, call the North Carolina Car Accident and Personal Injury lawyers at Daggett Shuler at 1-800-815-5500. Our experienced legal team will speak with you for free and help you understand your rights. Our attorneys know the pain and distress caused by drunk driving accidents all too well, and will discuss the details of your case in a caring and compassionate manner.
Make the call to Daggett Shuler today and let us fight for your rights.
Daggett Shuler – You Can Depend On Us.