Tips to Avoid Car Accidents for the Fourth of July Weekend

Besides an abundance of national pride, barbecues, and fireworks, July Fourth weekend also sees a rise in travelers on the road. With this, comes a surge in road traffic and car accidents.

In fact, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the Fourth of July weekend is either the deadliest day for drivers or the second-deadliest day, based on data collected for more than 20 years. While weather conditions aren't much of a factor during the summer months, driving under the influence of alcohol is—and when it comes to Independence Day weekend, it's the main contributor to these traffic fatalities. “During the 2012 July 4^th weekend, in fatal accidents between 9 p.m. and midnight, 59% of the drivers were drunk,” reports the NHTSA. Their research goes on to state that 40 percent of all highway deaths between 2007 and 2011 were caused by drunk driving over this holiday weekend; what's more, 40 percent of these fatalities involved drivers with blood alcohol levels of 0.08 or higher, which is above the legal limit.

To combat these dangers, law enforcement, in conjunction with the NHTSA, has launched the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign, which includes numerous roadway checkpoints. However, you can help lower your own risk of being involved in a vehicle fatality on Independence Day (and throughout the year) by doing the following:

• Designate a sober driver. This seems like a no-brainer, but many people still believe that it's okay to have a few and get behind the wheel. In reality, though, just having a slight buzz can impair your driving abilities. Why risk it? If you live in an urban area, you can also opt to take public transportation, such as the subway or a cab.
• Stay the night. Even if you're not inebriated, you may want to consider spending the night at your friend's or family's house once the festivities end. The majority of drunk drivers are on the roads at night, so even one less car out there with them can help save a life.
• Notify the police. If you do decide to head home after your Independence Day celebrations, be extra vigilant about the drivers around you. If you happen to see someone driving erratically, maintain a safe distance away from them, and when safely possible, pull over and contact the police to let them know of the person's license plate number, type of vehicle, and location.

On the chance that you do find yourself injured in an auto accident, contact the attorneys at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys for your free consultation. We have more than 50 years of experience and will work hard to win your settlement or court case. Scheduling your free consultation is easy—e-mail us by clicking here or call us at 855-866-5529.