Bart Durham Personal Injury News & Blog

The Dangers of Blackout Wednesday & How to Stay Safe

Written by Bart Durham Injury Law | Oct 23, 2023 8:33:07 PM

Blackout Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving, is one of the biggest drinking holidays of the year, and it has dangerous side effects for everyone on the road. Research shows that 40% of car accidents happen during holiday weekends, and alcohol plays a significant role in 80% of those cases. It’s up to you to help prevent tragedy from happening by ensuring that you don’t drink and drive, and you make sure others don’t drink and drive either. 

Here are some tips you should follow in order to stay safe: 

  1. Make a Plan in Advance 

  2. Watch Out For Others 

  3. Never Drink and Drive 

Want more safety tips? Contact the team at Bart Durham Injury Law today.

Make a Plan in Advance 

You can help prevent a tragedy on Blackout Wednesday by creating a plan in advance. If you’re going out, be sure to talk to your friends and family in order to choose who will be the designated driver, or decide on choosing an area where you can conveniently meet and get an Uber or Lyft.

If you’re going to a busy area, make sure that everyone has a plan to meet at the end of the night if you get separated or someone’s phone dies. 

Watch Out For Others 

Be wary of people who are heavily drinking and may be suffering from alcohol poisoning, they can pose a danger to themselves and others as well. Stay safe by not drinking too much and make sure to not get into an intoxicated driver's car. Even if friends say that they haven’t had too much to drink, you can watch out for clear signs like slurring words, difficulty walking, being out of character, and forgetting information, among other factors.

If you suspect that someone is too drunk, you can pull them aside privately and ask them if they’re okay. If they’ve had too much to drink, you can call an Uber or Lyft for them to make sure they get home safely.

Remember: just one drink can equal .25 ounces of pure alcohol. 

Never Drink and Drive 

Drinking and driving is a serious offense. In fact, you can be arrested for driving under the influence even if your blood alcohol level is below the legal limit of 0.08%. This means that one drink could put you in a dangerous situation on the road.

With so many people out celebrating the holidays, it's important to remember not to drink and drive no matter how much you've had to drink. 

Injured in a Car Accident with a Drunk Driver? 

Regaining your health after a car accident can be a long and difficult process. You must find a way to pay your medical bills and household expenses, even if you cannot work.

You must also deal with insurance companies, and pain and discomfort can be an ever-present reality in your life. At Bart Durham Injury Law, we provide results-oriented representation in cases involving all types of car accident injuries.