by Dallas Car Accident Lawyer, Tim O’Hare
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Americans love to celebrate Fourth of July with friends, food and fireworks — and often alcohol. Tragically, the Independence Day holiday weekend is one of the deadliest on roads across the nation due to drunk driving crashes.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in the last 25 years, half of the accidents that occur on Fourth of July weekend involve alcohol. Forty-three percent of all traffic fatalities over Fourth of July weekend are alcohol-related, ranking even higher than the New Year’s holiday. In 2015, nearly 150 people were killed in crashes involving at least one drunk driver.
Many law enforcement agencies across the state of Texas have designated this holiday weekend a “No Refusal” weekend. During a No Refusal weekend, any motorists or boaters suspected of drunk driving who refuse to have their blood or breath drawn will have a search warrant issued against them for police to take a blood specimen to test their blood-alcohol level.
Whether you’re celebrating at Kaboom Town! in Addison, at Dallas’ official Independence Day celebration, Fair Park Fourth or one of the numerous other celebrations taking place over the next few days in North Texas, it’s important that you stay on high alert while on the roads. Texas law does not take drunk driving lightly. The same rules and restrictions apply to boaters.
Don’t let yourself or your family become victims of drunk driving this Fourth of July. Here are a few reminders to stay safe:
Choose a designated driver. The safest option is to avoid drinking alcohol altogether, but if you’re going to party where you know there will be alcohol, plan ahead and select a designated driver or alternative form of transportation. Before you get to the party, know exactly how you will get home. If you’re hosting a celebration, be sure to provide plenty of nonalcoholic drink options for the designated drivers.
Avoid late night driving. Nobody likes to leave a party early, but if it means getting home safe, it’s definitely worth it.
Drive in the right lane. Sticking to the right lane can save your life from drunk drivers and wrong-way drivers alike. Often times drunk drivers drift out of their lane or into oncoming traffic. The further you are to the right of the road, the better your chances of avoiding being side swiped or hit head-on by a drunk driver.
Be smart this Fourth of July. Your safety and the safety of those around you depend on it.
If you or a loved one has been injured or even killed as a result of drunk driving, contact The Law Offices of Tim O’Hare for a free consultation with a Dallas car accident attorney.
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