The Labor Day weekend, which unofficially marks the end of summer, is notorious for drunk driving incidents. According to The Las Vegas Sun, 45 DUI arrests were reported in southern Nevada just during Labor Day weekend in 2010. Anyone who has to travel during a holiday weekend would be well advised to practice safe driving habits. Here are some precautions you could take to avoid DUI crashes during the holiday weekend:
- First and foremost, if you plan on drinking this holiday weekend, do not drive. Call a cab. Ask a friend to take your keys. Request a ride from a sober friend or designated driver. Driving drunk will not only put your life at risk, but also endanger the lives of others on the roadway.
- Another dangerous driving habit that is often overlooked is fatigued or drowsy driving. If you are out late celebrating this Labor Day weekend, do not drive fatigued. Studies have shown that drowsy and fatigued driving can be as dangerous as drunk driving. According to the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), about 56,000 traffic accidents each year are attributed to fatigued driving.
- If you are driving in Nevada this Labor Day weekend, there are a number of actions you can take to protect yourself. Maintain a safe distance between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead of you. If a driver is behaving erratically, pull over and call the authorities. Follow the rules of the road and drive within the speed limit. Also, be sure to watch for pedestrians and bicyclists who may be out later than normal because of the holidays.
The Las Vegas injury attorneys at Shook & Stone wish you and your family a safe holiday weekend. If you or a loved one has been injured in a Nevada DUI accident caused by someone else’s negligence, do not hesitate to call us at 702-570-0000. Call us today to find out how we can help.
