Holidays always seem to bring out the worst in drivers. Most of the time, people are reasonable and stay off the road if they’ve been drinking or are tired from a long day of events. Unfortunately, there will always be some people who break the law and put others at risk of being injured.
The Mississippi Highway Patrol (MHP) reported that the New Year’s holiday enforcement period resulted in 184 DUI arrests as well as 6,306 citations. Unfortunately, there were 58 collisions as well, which caused three deaths and 27 injuries.
Holiday crashes can be avoided
The sad part about this news is that so many of those collisions and violations could have been avoided. Citations for things like speeding or reckless driving can be avoided by using a rideshare service or giving yourself more time to get to an event. DUIs can be side-stepped by getting a sober driver to take you home.
Unfortunately, many people fail to follow the laws, and the MHP responded to many collisions in a short amount of time. Now, all of the people who were hurt or the families of those who were killed will have to live with the consequences of those actions.
Holidays are high-risk events
Holidays put people at a high risk of being involved in traffic collisions. Drinking during the holidays is normal, which is one of the reasons that DUIs are more likely. Combined with higher rates for taxis or rideshare programs and limited public transportation options, there is a higher chance that more motorists will be driving on the road while impaired.
If you’re hit by a drunk driver, remember that you have the right to pursue a claim. They should be held accountable for their actions.