7 Ways to Avoid Drunk Drivers During the Holidays
Posted in Auto Insurance
November 23rd, 2009
Driving can be dangerous, but more so when a drunk driver is on the road with you. One of the best ways to avoid an accident with a drunk driver is to avoid them completely. After all, you don’t want to deal with the cost of your auto insurance going up after being involved in an accident. At holiday time, however, the number of people driving under the influence can increase significantly. Here are a few ways to help protect yourself and your family while commuting during the holiday season.
1. Avoid Going Out Late
Many drunk-driving accidents occur at night after the driver has had a number of drinks at a party or bar and then wants to make it home before dawn. To avoid running into one on the road (literally), you might consider making all of your holiday excursions before it gets too late.
2. Spend the Night at a Friend’s House
Your friend may want you to hang out until the late-night hours after his Christmas party is over, but knowing you’re racing against the clock, you might consider spending the night at his house instead of driving home late. This way, you won’t have to worry about being out during more dangerous hours and can spend more worry-free time with your friends.
3. Only Visit Elderly People
Another way to avoid drunk drivers is to make sure you only visit elderly people during the holidays. You know that your grandparents are planning to get to bed before the street lights come on, so visit them instead this holiday season. This gives you the perfect excuse to make your holiday rounds, eat some great food and then get back home before those under the influence begin lurking.
4. Map Out the Roads with Sobriety Checkpoints
Sobriety checkpoints are road staples during the holidays, which means there will be a lot of people getting pulled over for random breathalyzer tests. One good way to avoid drunk drivers during holiday time is to map out the roads that will have sobriety checkpoints stationed along them. You’re sure not to find many drunk drivers around places known for checkpoints!
5. Find DUI Hotspots In Your City
Virtually every city has streets and locations that are more active than others and therefore may be more prone to drunk driving. One way you can find out is by visiting DUIMap.org to discover just where the hotspots are in your city. Once you find out, you can run (or drive) in the opposite direction of those locations to decrease your chances of running into a drunk driver.
6. Take the Kids to See Santa
There’s nothing like Christmas cheer with the kiddies, especially if it helps you avoid drunk drivers on the road. So why not take your kids and spend a day throwing fake snow and sitting on a fake Santa’s lap? You can see pretty lights and get back home in time for some yummy eggnog and a good holiday movie.
7. Don’t Drink and Drive
One of the most dangerous drunk drivers you could ever encounter is the one you see when you look in the mirror. By not drinking and driving yourself, you can help keep the roads safe for everyone. So take responsibility this year by not getting behind the wheel if you’ve been drinking.
It may seem a bit unfair that it’s up to you to avoid drunk drivers during the holidays. But think of it this way, by avoiding the threat of a drunk driver during the holidays, you increase your chances of seeing a new year. So with that said, be safe on the road and have a happy holiday season from Go Insurance Rates!