‘Tis the Season for Increased Risk of Car Accident Injuries

 Posted on December 14, 2021 in Personal Injury

December has arrived, and along with it comes the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. Unfortunately, so many people are so focused on getting ready and celebrating the holidays that they sometimes overlook safe driving behaviors, putting themselves and everyone around them at risk of car accident injuries. Although there are many reasons why car accidents occur, this time of the year often sees an increase in aggressive driving accidents and alcohol-related crashes.

Aggressive Driving

If you find yourself wondering if drivers are just more impatient and aggressive this time of year, rest assured it is not your imagination. They are. Road rage and aggressive driving increases during the holiday season. In one study, researchers looked at data that was collected from 10 major cities during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend to determine how much aggressive events on the road increase during holidays. Aggressive events included acts of speeding, rapid acceleration, and hard braking. The study found that the number of these events spiked an alarming 20 percent more on a holiday weekend compared to other times of the year. At the very minimum, these aggressive acts result in a 40 percent increase in more fuel used. At the worst, these acts result in the deaths and injuries of thousands of victims each year.

Alcohol-Related Crashes

The holiday season also means lots of social gatherings and festivities. Often, alcohol is served at these events. Despite all the warnings and education, many drivers still get behind the wheel of their vehicle after they have been drinking. There are more than 10,000 victims killed each year in drunk driving accidents. Another 300,000 are left seriously injured.

Multiple studies have shown that even a small amount of alcohol can have a significant effect on a driver’s ability to safely operate their vehicle. That effect begins with just the first drink. And there are no “safe” types of alcohol either. A 12-ounce beer, a five-ounce glass of wine, and a 1.5-ounce shot of whiskey (80-proof) all have the same alcohol content.

To understand the impact alcohol has on a driver, keep the following blood alcohol concentration (BAC) effects in mind:

• BAC of .02 to .03 percent (one drink) – Decrease in the driver’s judgment and inhibitions.

• BAC of .04 to .05 percent (two drinks) – Slow the driver’s reaction time.

• BAC of .06 to .07 percent (three drinks) – Driver’s judgment and reasoning skills are less reliable.

• BAC of .08 to .09 percent (four drinks) – Now over the legal limit. Driver’s vision, speech, hearing, and balance are all significantly impacted.

• BAC of .10 to .11 percent (five drinks) – Driver’s ability to walk and control body movements becomes difficult.

Contact a Midland, TX Personal Injury Attorney

If you have been injured in a car accident caused by a drunk driver, contact a seasoned Austin, TX car accident attorney to find out what legal recourse you may have against the driver in order to collect the financial compensation you deserve. Call Morales Law Office, Attorneys at Law, PLLC. at 512-474-2222 to schedule a free consultation.

Sources:

https://www.gasbuddy.com/go/scroogiest-drivers-2019

https://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/arh27-1/63-78.htm