Plenty of people choose to ring in a new year with alcohol-fueled celebrations. The problems begin, however, when the party-goers choose to get behind the wheel after drinking. Michigan car accidents on New Year’s Eve can be avoided – it’s as simple as saying no to drinking and driving.
Ways to Prevent a New Year’s Car Accident
You can’t do anything about the behavior of other Michigan motorists, but you can do everything possible to protect yourself on roadways on New Year’s Eve. Here are some of the best ways to stay safe:
- Don’t drink: If you know you’ll be driving, get yourself a can of soda and a noisemaker. There’s nothing wrong with saying hello to a new year sober.
- Don’t drink and drive: If you do choose to drink on New Year’s Eve, don’t drive a car. Give your keys to someone else. Call a cab. Promise yourself you will not get behind the wheel until your body is alcohol-free.
- Sleep over: If you can sleep off your alcohol wherever you’re celebrating, do it, even if you must get a hotel room for the night. Better yet, if you know you’ll be at a private home, arrange ahead of time to crash on a couch, floor, or spare bedroom. You save yourself from a dangerous ride home and your host from negligence.
- Call an Uber: There are plenty of ways to get home that don’t require you to turn on an ignition. Many local organizations offer free cab rides for New Year’s Eve revelers. Find the resources, plug them into your phone, and have them at the ready. Or book an Uber ahead of time – now – so you’re ride-ready come New Year’s.
- Stay home: If you can’t ring in a new year without bubble, host the party yourself so you know you won’t be tempted to drive anywhere. Be good to your guests too – offer to keep their keys, arrange for rides home, or let them stay the night.
- Drive defensively: When you’re driving on New Year’s – whether to or from your destination – remember that no matter how well-behaved you have been there are other drivers who are being reckless and getting behind the wheel even though they’ve had too much to drink. Pay extra attention to odd behavior, alert authorities when necessary, and drive carefully.
- Don’t use your phone: Distracted driving is always dangerous. Combining phone use with drunk driving is disaster waiting to happen. Make smart decisions to protect yourself and others on one of the biggest drinking nights of the year.
- Name yourself the designated driver: If you can prevent one person from getting on the road while intoxicated, that’s at least one life you can save, never mind the people who would be sharing the road with your friend or loved one. Whether a spur of the moment decision or something you’ve planned, you’ll protect people by being at least one sober driver on Michigan roads.
Drunk driving rates have improved, but drunk driving accidents still happen every day. If you are involved in a Michigan car accident with a drunk driver, contact Thurswell Law for a free consultation with an experienced car crash lawyer. You have the right to compensation for your pain and suffering. We do not charge any fees unless you collect. Call (248) 354-2222 today to schedule your consultation.
