As you spend time with friends and family this Thanksgiving, you should take special care during your travels. While many believe that New Years’ Eve, St. Patrick’s Day or the Super Bowl present the greatest threat from drunk drivers, it is typically “Turkey Day” that takes the infamous spot each year.
Thanksgiving is the largest travel day in the U.S., resulting in an unusually high amount of drivers on the road. This heavy traffic is coupled with the busiest days of the year for bars and nightclubs, providing a deadly mix ripe for drunk-driving accidents.
How to avoid becoming a Drunk-Driving Victim
While there is no way to eliminate the entire threat that drunk drivers present to our families, there are some ways to reduce the likelihood of an intoxicated driver seriously injuring or killing you or family members on Thanksgiving:
- Avoid driving as much as possible – although it isn’t possible for many families to completely avoid the roads on Thanksgiving, you should do your best to limit your travel time or save your travel for Wednesday and Friday.
- Do your best to avoid driving at nighttime – many irresponsible drivers have spent the entire day drinking alcohol before getting behind the wheel. The later it is in the day, the greater your chances of encountering these drunk drivers.
- Sidewalks are not safe – when “loaded” drivers drive around Chicago, pedestrians on sidewalks and in crosswalks are in peril, too. Take special care near intersections, where parked cars don’t provide a buffer between you and intoxicated motorists.
- Report apparent drunk drivers – If you see a driver who appears to be drunk, have a passenger contact the highway patrol or local police. Be ready to give them the license plate, location and direction of travel that the motorist is going.
- Prevent a drunk driver – If a friend or family member tries to drive after overindulging, please prevent them and provide a safe place to sober up or sleep it off.
Unfortunately, drunk drivers will inevitably get on the roads this Thanksgiving. If you or your family is seriously injured or killed by a drunk driver, get immediate medical attention and preserve all evidence involved.
Please have a safe Thanksgiving and avoid the busy roads as much as possible.