Thanksgiving is right around the corner and millions of Americans will be traveling for the holiday. It is projected that 48.7 million long-distance relatives will travel 50 miles or more from home this Thanksgiving, most of them by car. The number of Americans traveling for the holidays continues to grow each year. With so many people on the road it is important to be weary of drinking and driving.
While millions families are driving, just as many people are already celebrating. Between Black Friday and Thanksgiving, Americans will be drinking more than usual. The worst repercussion for many holiday partiers will be a hangover. Others will cause damage to themselves and other drivers out on the roads. Thanksgiving has now become the third most dangerous holiday for drivers.
Repercussions are heavy for holiday drunk drivers
When Thanksgiving partiers down their drinks reaction time quickly becomes affected. Obvious signs of intoxication might take much longer to surface. Often people’s inhibitions are affected before their coordination, leading people to think they will be sober enough to drive home. Yet even seconds of slowed reaction time can make the difference in a car accident. 40 percent of traffic fatalities during the holidays involve a drunk driver, compared to 31 percent for the remainder of the year.
Holiday drivers will also need to consider the legal repercussions that they could face for drinking and driving. A DUI offense in Kentucky will result in a $200 to $500 fine and 2 to 30 days in jail. Drivers charged with a DUI will also face a 90-day treatment program for alcohol abuse and can lose their license for 30 to 120 days. These types of penalties are long-lasting, creating echoing impacts on school, work, and family.
Drive safe and plan ahead
Avoid the costly consequences of a DUI by planning ahead for the holiday. If you plan for celebrating on Black Friday make sure you can carpool home or take a cab. Save your long distance travels for Thanksgiving morning in order to fully recover from last night’s drinks. If you will be driving a long distance from home this holiday make sure to arrange your celebration ahead of time to keep everyone on the roads safe for Turkey Day.