Portland, Maine car accident lawyer explains what drivers need to know.
Maine can be a magical place during the holidays. Unfortunately, car accidents caused by drunk drivers happen far more often this time of year. That's why several organizations have designated December as National Impaired Driving Prevention Month.
"The year-end holiday period from Thanksgiving through New Year's is always one of the most dangerous times on U.S. roads and highways," says the National Road Safety Foundation. "The increased risk comes from a combination of factors that include impairment from alcohol and drugs."
Drunk driving accidents during the holidays are a major problem
Drunk driving during the holidays – especially between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day – has long been a serious problem. This is why the National Road Safety Foundation, along with Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and the National Safety Council (NSC), have designated December as National Impaired Driving Awareness Month.
Two of the most celebrated dates in December – Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve – are also among the most dangerous," says MADD, which has been warning drivers about the dangers of impaired driving in December for decades.
Unfortunately, the problem has been getting worse in recent years. Between 2017 and 2021, drunk drivers caused 4,500 car accident deaths in December during those five years, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The worst year during that period was in December 2021, when drunk drivers caused 1,013 car accident fatalities nationwide.
'Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over' – what Maine drivers can expect
As in years past, MADD and the NHTSA are spearheading the annual nationwide "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" campaign this month. Working in partnership with state and local police in Maine and other states nationwide, this program targets drunk driving two different ways – through education and enforcement.
On the education front, police and public service announcements will remind drivers about the dangers of driving impaired during the holidays. On the enforcement front, drivers can expect to see more state and local police on the roads on the lookout for drunk drivers.
What can drivers do to prevent drunk driving accidents?
The best way to prevent drunk driving accidents starts with drivers being more responsible. And in general, that means planning ahead before going out to celebrate the holidays, according to MADD.
"We're asking everyone to take personal responsibility this holiday season by making a plan for a safe ride home before your celebrations begin," says MADD. "Designate a non-drinking, unimpaired driver. Take a taxi, a bus, or a train. Use a rideshare app like Uber. If you're a host, provide an alternative to your guests, such as festive, non-alcoholic drinks."
In addition, anyone who sees someone who appears to be driving drunk should call police immediately. Your call could save lives and prevent a drunk driving accident from happening in the first place.
What to do if you were hit by a drunk driver in Maine
Accident claims involving drunk drivers might seem straightforward. An impaired driver clearly caused your collision, so they should be responsible for your accident-related expenses. But the reality is many accident claims – including ones like this – often turn into complicated legal cases.
Our Portland car accident lawyers at Jabar LaLiberty, LLC know exactly what to do in such situations. That's because our legal team has years of experience working with people injured in accidents caused by impaired drivers in Portland and other parts of Maine.
Take the first step towards justice. Contact us and schedule a free consultation with a Portland car accident attorney you can count on during a crisis. We work on a contingency fee basis. That means you only have to pay us if we secure compensation for you. Call us today or schedule an appointment online. We have two offices conveniently located in Portland and Waterville, Maine.