Some holidays, such as Christmas and Thanksgiving, are wonderful times to get together with family and friends. The focus is on good food and seeing loved ones.
Other holidays, like St. Patrick’s Day, are more centered around drinking. Although not originally intended to be a drinking holiday, that is how it has evolved in the United States. On March 17, whether you are going out partying or just going about your normal day, here are some tips to keep you safe and avoid a car accident.
Some Safe Driving Tips
Have a designated driver. Do not get behind the wheel after you have had much to drink. Having a glass of wine over a two-hour dinner is much different from drinking all day, celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with a bunch of your friends.
If you plan to go out in a group and celebrate, have a designated driver. This person should not consume any alcohol. They can serve as the escort for everyone who is drinking and still have a good time. You can even pitch in for their gas, food, and non-alcoholic beverages to thank them for being the designated driver.
Stay vigilant while driving. If you are the designated driver, it is your job to keep everyone else in your group safe. Therefore, you need to make sure that you do not drink anything while you are out celebrating.
As the designated driver, staying vigilant while driving is crucial to keeping your friends safe. Make sure you put your phone away and avoid distractions. Especially if you are making many stops after dark to drop everyone off, be aware that not everyone else will be as safe as you, so you need to stay alert.
Stay hydrated. As the designated driver, you can stay alert and awake by staying hydrated. Drinking water is good for you every day, even more so when you may have a long night ahead of you.
If you are drinking, it is also crucial that you drink enough water. Not only can this help you avoid a bad hangover, but also it will help you enjoy the celebrations more. The best advice is to alternate drinking an alcoholic beverage with a glass of water.
Do not leave your drink unattended. Even if you are out with a large group of friends, it is not a good idea to leave your drink unattended. This is good advice any time you are out, especially on St. Patrick’s Day.
Leaving your drink unattended gives other people the chance to slip something in your drink, potentially causing you a terrible outcome. It is also a bad idea to accept a drink from someone else if you did not see the drink made. Presenting you with a drink would have given someone the same opportunity to put something bad into your drink.
Keep an eye on your friends. Even if you are celebrating and drinking, keep an eye on your friends. When you are out together, you should all be looking out for each other.
Make sure your friends are drinking water and staying within their limits. Do not let them drive. Take their keys if you must. Do anything to prevent them from experiencing a tragedy.
Know your limits. Just like you should keep an eye on your friends, keep an eye on yourself. Know your own limits. Do not overindulge in alcohol, as that could have dire consequences.
If you feel yourself drinking too much, take a break. Have some water and order some food. Although that is not an antidote, it will slow down the alcohol absorption. Also try to keep yourself to just one drink per hour. This will give your body time to process the alcohol before you start another drink.
Have a party at home. Instead of going out to a bar, you could have a party at home with your neighbors. No one has to drive this way, and you can be in a more relaxed setting.
Having a party at home or going to a neighborhood party can also save money. You will avoid paying high prices at a bar and will be able to simply walk home when you are done celebrating.
Take a cab. If you are out at a bar and you have not discussed having a designated driver, make sure you and your friends take a cab home or use a ride sharing service. Do not drive yourself, and do not let anyone else drive.
A cab on St. Patrick’s Day may be more expensive than normal. But that extra cost is much better than causing an accident or getting a DUI.
Consequences of Driving under the Influence of Alcohol
If you decide to drive after celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, you face serious consequences. The most serious is getting into an accident and causing injury or death to yourself, a passenger, or people in another vehicle. Therefore, you are strongly encouraged not to drive if you have been drinking. The physical risks simply are not worth it.
On days such as St. Patrick’s Day, the police are frequently out looking for intoxicated drivers. If caught, you face arrest, fines, and a driver’s license suspension. If you have been charged with and found guilty of a previous DUI, your penalties could be even more severe.
What to Do if a Drunk Driver Hits You?
Even when you do everything right, you still cannot control the actions of others on St. Patrick’s Day. It is entirely possible that some other partygoer will not be as responsible as you and get behind the wheel after drinking and celebrating. Driving drunk substantially increases their chances of causing an accident, which could involve you.
Therefore, if you are hit by a drunk driver, there are certain steps you can take to make sure you and your passengers are safe. First, call 911. When the police arrive, they will be able to quickly tell if the other driver is drunk. If they suspect the driver is drunk, they will conduct a field sobriety test and, if that driver fails the test, that will help you prove you had no fault in the accident.
Second, you need to make sure you and your passengers are alright. When you call 911, you can request an ambulance. The emergency medical personnel will evaluate all of you to make sure you are okay and, if you require additional medical care, they will transport you to the hospital.
Finally, call a lawyer. After an accident, you will have car repair expenses and medical bills to cover. That should be the sole responsibility of the drunk driver, and your legal team can help you attempt to collect maximum compensation from them so you can avoid paying even a penny out of your own pocket.
Delaware Car Accident Lawyers at McCann Dillon Jaffe & Lamb, LLC, Help Clients Involved in Accidents Caused by Impaired Drivers
There are steps you can take to stay safe on the road during potentially hazardous times. St. Patrick’s Day is one such time that may require additional diligence on your part as people celebrate with a few drinks, then get behind the wheel. If you do end up in an accident caused by an impaired motorist, reach out to the Delaware car accident lawyers at McCann Dillon Jaffe & Lamb, LLC. Our experienced team will investigate the cause of the accident and seek the compensation for which you are entitled. Call us today at 302-888-1221 or contact us online for a free consultation. Located in Wilmington, Delaware, we serve clients in Dover, Newark, and Middletown.