Cinco de Mayo has evolved into a large celebration in Fort Myers with many local bars and restaurants hosting events. Because many of these festivities involve alcohol, Cinco de Mayo is also linked to an increase in drunk driving accidents.
From 2007 to 2011, 38 percent of all motor vehicle fatalities that occurred each year around May 5th involved alcohol-impaired drivers or motorcycle operators with blood alcohol concentrations (BACs) of .08 and above, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). During the 2011 Cinco de Mayo holiday alone, 80 percent of the alcohol-impaired fatalities involved a driver or motorcycle operator with nearly twice the legal limit of .15.
With this in mind, we join local law enforcement is reminding drivers to celebrate responsibly. Whether you are throwing a Cinco de Mayo fiesta or heading to a local bar or restaurant to celebrate, it is important to plan ahead.
Below are some tips from the NHTSA:
- If your Cinco de Mayo celebration includes alcohol, make a plan before the festivities begin to ensure you arrive home safely.
- Designate your sober driver before the party begins. If you’ve been drinking, never get behind the wheel.
- Use public transportation, call a cab or someone who can drive you, or use a local sober ride program.
- If you know someone who is about to drive or ride with an impaired driver, take their keys and help them make other arrangements to get to where they are going safely.
- If you see a drunk driver on the road, contact your local law enforcement—you could save a life.
By planning ahead, you will make sure you and others live to see and enjoy, Seis de Mayo.
The Dellutri Law Group is focused on making bad situations better and putting lives back together. If you or someone you love has been seriously injured in a Fort Myers accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. To learn more about your legal options, contact our experienced Fort Myers injury attorneys for a free consultation.
