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Drunk driving dangers this holiday season

 

Residents in Bridgeport, Connecticut, should get educated about the increasing dangers posed by drunk drivers over the holidays.

The holidays are a time for Connecticut residents to celebrate and enjoy friends and family. Alcohol consumption is commonly a part of these celebrations. Sadly, this can lead to an increased risk of danger on the roads when people make the choice to drive after drinking. BACtrack.com notes that there are more people arrested on drunk driving charges between the Thanksgiving and New Year’s holidays than at other times of the year.

Most dangerous holidays

On the National Safety Council’s list of the six most dangerous holidays for drunk driving, Thanksgiving takes the number three spot, New Year’s the number five position and Christmas comes in at number six. USA Today notes that the presence of a weekend over a holiday can exacerbate the danger and Thanksgiving always spans a four-day weekend. This year, Christmas and New Year’s will also encompass weekends which could make it an especially risky and tragic holiday season.

A study comparison

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration took impaired driving fatality records from the Decembers in 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005 and compared them with each other.

On the dates that were not associated directly with a holiday, the average number of daily deaths in crashes involving alcohol was 28. On the dates associated directly with Christmas, the average number of daily deaths in crashes involving alcohol was 45. On the dates associated directly with New Year’s, the average number of daily deaths in crashes involving alcohol was 54.

Connecticut prepares

The Norwich Bulletin reports that local authorities have already announced a strong effort to crackdown on drunk drivers over the holidays. Starting at 6:00 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day, a sobriety checkpoint will be set up. It will last until 2:00 a.m. on Friday morning.

How many people die in drunk driving accidents in Connecticut?

While holidays can make drunk driving a bigger danger than at other time, it is always a potential hazard on the road. NHTSA records show that 524 people statewide died in impaired driving crashes between 2009 and 2013. Fairfield County was had the third highest number of these deaths across the state.

Specific data shows the following:

  • In Hartford County, 134 lives were lost.
  • In New Haven County, 107 lives were lost.
  • In Fairfield County, 99 lives were lost.
  • In New London County, 56 lives were lost.
  • In both Tolland and Windham Counties, 31 lives were lost each.

Litchfield County lost 30 lives and Middlesex County lost another 26 during this time.

How victims can receive compensation

When innocent people are injured or lose their loved ones due to the negligence of someone else, compensation is deserved. The attorneys at Miller, Rosnick, D’Amico, August and Butler, P.C. are experienced in helping people in these situations and invite Connecticut residents to call their office for a consultation.