Summertime Means an Increase in Drunk Driving Accidents

The summer months mean swimming, relaxing, and enjoying the outdoors - not to mention that warm summer sun. But the warmer summer months also bring with them an increase in drunk driving.

There is a myriad of reasons why this happens (people are on vacation, life is more relaxed, and people simply become reckless), but it doesn’t have to happen in such high numbers. And while there are many reasons given for driving while intoxicated, there are zero excuses. It is simply a bad idea to get behind any kind of wheel (boat, car, or otherwise) after you have been drinking.

Here are some numbers to think about.

Summertime Drunk Driving Numbers 

  • Over the past five years, an average of 10 people per day has died from drunk driving during the summer months.
  • That numbers totals around 1,022 people
  • Drunk driving numbers increase during the summer months because there are more people on the road (in addition to other reasons).
  • Teen deaths caused by drunk driving drastically increase during the summer months
  • Teen deaths from drunk driving increase around 16% during the summertime. 

Popular Holidays

You can attempt to prevent accidents caused by drunk driving from happening by simply not getting behind the wheel after you have been drinking. But, it’s hard to prevent deaths caused by other drunk drivers from happening. You can’t prevent someone else from driving drunk on the same road that you are traveling on. Sadly, many innocent drivers are killed every year by drivers that were intoxicated.

However, there is one thing that you can do. Try not to travel as much during the popular summer holidays.

The most popular summer holidays (or the days when drunk driving increases) include July 4th, Memorial Day, and Labor Day. Staying home and relaxing in the backyard is the safest place to be. If you do plan on traveling during those months, make sure that you have not been drinking - and do not let your children or anyone else get into a car with a person that has been drinking for any reason.

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