Federal, state and local authorities have launched the "Over the Limit. Under Arrest" campaign, a multi-million media campaign supported by an increase in sobriety checkpoints and other enforcement efforts to reduce drunk driving through the holidays.
The New York City car accident lawyers and drunk driving accident attorneys at Queller, Fisher, Washor, Fuchs & Kool urge motorists to keep safety in mind and celebrate responsibly.
Nationwide, almost one-third of fatal traffic accidents involve a drunk driver. Of the 27,261 people killed in traffic accidents last year, 11,773 fatal traffic accidents involved a drunk driver, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
In New York, 341 of the 1,231 traffic deaths last year involved a drunk driver. That is down from 2007, whent 377 drunk drivers were involved in 1,332 fatal crashes in New York.
"Drunk driving is a major public safety threat that still claims thousands of lives every year," U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said. "Many states continue to step up their efforts to get drunk drivers off our roads, but the numbers tell us we have to do more. Drinking and driving is dangerous and unacceptable, and I'm asking law enforcement to stay vigilant during this busy holiday season."
According to the NHTSA data, five states have shown reductions in alcohol-impaired driving fatality rates from 2007 to 2008. Those include Vermont, Wisconsin, Maine, Nebraska and Minnesota.
The states with the least progress are Idaho, Rhode Island, Wyoming, Kansas and New Hampshire.
While New York saw a reduction in both fatalities and alcohol related traffic deaths, its 10.7 percent decrease in the overall drunk-driving-fatality rate ranked it 28th of 50 states.
Driving with a blood alcohol level of .08 or higher is illegal in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. However, authorities will also be looking for drivers under the influence of drugs.
"Like alcohol, drugs impair perception, judgment, motor skills and memory. These effects can be dangerously magnified when drugs are consumed with alcohol, even in cases where a driver's blood alcohol level is below legal limits," said R. Gil Kerlikowske, Director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy. "Driving while impaired, from alcohol, drugs, or both, puts us all at risk and must be prevented."
In addition to the increased danger of a drunk driving accident during the holidays, federal research has consistently shown an increase in fatal alcohol-related traffic accidents at night, particularly on the weekend.
"My message to drivers is this: if you decide to drink, find a safe and sober ride home or your chances of arrest are extremely high," said Secretary LaHood. "Law enforcement officers will be out in full force during the upcoming holiday, especially at night and on the weekends, looking for the drunk drivers that put the rest of us at risk."
Mothers Against Drunk Driving's Tie One On for Safety campaign joins the call for responsible celebration during the month of December, which is National Drunk Driving Prevention Month.
The campaign encourages motorists to tie a red ribbon on their antenna or display a window decal as a pledge to drive safe, sober and buckled up during the holidays.
MADD encourages the following safety tips:
-Designate a sober driver before celebrations begin.
-Never serve alcohol to those under the age of 21.
-Plan safe parties, including providing non-alcoholic drink options to guests; don't serve alcohol during the last your of a gathering.
-Be prepared to get everyone home safe in case your plans or individual circumstances change.
If you or a loved one is involved in a holiday car accident, contact the New York City drunk driving accident lawyers and car accident attorneys at
