Every holiday season brings joy, laughter, and cherished moments with loved ones. Yet, amidst the festivities, there lurks a dark reality: the alarming frequency of drunk driving accidents.
Drunk driving accidents spike during the holidays, casting a shadow over the season’s celebrations. Behind every incident involving a vehicle and an inebriated driver lies a heartbreaking tale of lives forever changed by reckless decisions.
The numbers paint a picture not just of how common car accidents are but how many of them are caused by alcohol. However, there are steps that everyone can take to decrease the prevalence of drunk driving accidents during the holidays.
If you or a loved one are injured by a drunk driver around the holidays, you are not alone. And there are steps you can take to recover compensation that will help you move forward with life.
Drunk Driving Accident Statistics
Drunk driving has been the culprit for many car accidents across the country. Each year, driving under the influence of alcohol causes thousands of accidents.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention discovered the alarming mortality rate of drunk driving. Based on the CDC’s statistics, more than 11,654 individuals met their untimely demise in motor vehicle crashes involving alcohol-impaired drivers in 2020 alone.
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) reported that between 2014 and 2023, more than 37% of traffic fatalities in Texas involved drivers who were impaired by drugs or alcohol. The majority of those fatalities occurred between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m. on the weekends. DUI crash fatalities are highest among males between the ages of 19 and 35, with the age 23 being average.
These statistics paint a grim picture of the toll that intoxicated driving takes on innocent lives.
The Percentage of Accidents Caused by Drunk Driving
In 2022, Texas recorded about 62,000 total injurious car crashes. According to the Department of Transportation, the number of accidents caused by drunk driving was 17,935 in 2022.
When we do the math, we’ll find that the percentage of car crashes due to DUI is roughly 28.9%. That’s nearly a third of all car accidents in the state.
Given these figures, it’s safe to say that drunk driving collisions are common in Texas.
How Many Accidents Are Caused by Drunk Driving During the Holidays in Texas?
In 2022 alone, alcohol played a devastating role in 1,163 fatal traffic accidents in the Lone Star State, constituting roughly a quarter of all deadly crashes.
These grim statistics which are sourced from the Texas Department of Transportation underscore the somber reality of drunk driving during festive times.
Several cities also happen to be hotbeds for drunk driving accidents and deaths in Texas.
For one, Houston holds the unenviable status of being one of the cities most prone to impaired driving incidents during the holidays.
In the bustling Dallas area, an average of 66 lives are tragically lost each year in crashes involving drunk drivers. Coincidentally, drunk driving incidents in the area peak around the holiday season.
These alarming stats are stark reminders of how common drunk driving car crashes and fatalities are in the Lone Star State — especially when the holidays draw near.
How Much Drunk Driving Costs the US
Drunk driving accidents don’t just wreak havoc on human life. In Texas and across the country, these incidents come with hefty economic costs that burden motorists, insurance companies, and the state at large.
Delving deeper into the economic toll, the numbers paint a grim picture. In 2019, the total economic cost of all motor vehicle traffic crashes in the United States amounted to a staggering $340 billion. The overall cost to Texas residents is around $17 billion.
Within this sum, a significant $58 billion stemmed from alcohol-impaired crashes involving drivers with a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of .08 grams per deciliter or higher.
These losses do little to encapsulate the full extent of harm inflicted. When factoring in quality-of-life valuations, the total societal harm from motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2019 skyrocketed to an eye-watering $1.37 trillion.
Among this figure, $296 billion was attributed to alcohol-impaired crashes, highlighting the immense toll on individuals and communities.
Drunk Driving: The Consequences
The legal ramifications of impairment offenses related to drunk driving are profound.
From hefty fines to driver’s license suspension and potential jail time, offenders can face numerous penalties owing to their recklessness and inebriation.
Repeat DUI offenders face lengthy jail sentences and permanent license revocation. Meanwhile, first-time offenders may grapple with fines exceeding $10,000, coupled with temporary license suspension.
What Makes Drunk Driving Prevalent During the Holidays: The Factors
During the holiday season, a perfect storm of factors converges, increasing the likelihood of drunk driving accidents. As festivities ensue, the following factors can engender a rise in DUI-related car crashes.
More Gatherings
Firstly, the prevalence of holiday gatherings and celebrations creates ample opportunities for alcohol consumption. From office parties to family get-togethers, the social nature of the holidays often revolves around festivities where alcohol flows freely.
Holiday-Related Stressors
Holiday stressors can exacerbate the temptation to drink and drive. The pressures of gift-giving, financial strain, and family obligations can lead individuals to seek solace in alcohol, blurring the lines between responsible behavior and reckless choices.
Extended Holiday Weekends
The extended holiday weekends provide more leisure time for revelers, increasing the likelihood of alcohol consumption throughout the day and night. With fewer responsibilities and more time for merriment, the risks of impaired driving soar.
Is Driving Drunk Worse Than Driving High?
Both driving under the influence of alcohol and driving under the influence of drugs pose serious risks to road safety. With that said, research suggests that alcohol tends to have a more pronounced impact on driving ability compared to most drugs.
Alcohol impairs coordination, reaction time, and judgment, increasing the likelihood of accidents. While driving under the influence of drugs can also impair driving skills, the effects can vary depending on the type of drug and individual tolerance levels.
Ultimately, neither option is safe, and both can result in severe legal consequences and tragic outcomes on the road. It’s imperative to always drive sober and avoid any substances that impair driving ability.
What Is Being Done to Prevent Drunk Driving?
TxDOT is taking actions to prevent drunk driving in the state. While it may be impossible to stop every crash, the prevalence of drunk driving can be reduced.
Reaching Young Drivers
The Drive Sober – No Regrets is a campaign that uses a peer-to-peer approach to motivate young drivers to always find a sober ride. The theory is that when these individuals believe bad things can happen to them, they are more likely to make good decisions when they drink.
Texas’ young driver campaign uses video testimonials of people who have been convicted of DWI (driving while intoxicated) to candidly share the impacts and consequences that resulted from their conviction.
Free Rideshare Coupons
In 2021, TxDOT partnered with the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) and Responsibility.org to secure a $25,000 rideshare grant from Lyft. The grant has been used to provide Lyft Rideshare coupons to people around the holiday season.
Project Celebration
TxDOT has also partnered with high schools throughout the state of Texas to provide education, outreach, and grants for events with the goal of stopping drunk driving in young people.
Project Celebration combines education with lock-in events conducted by educators, parents, and community partners to keep students safe and alcohol-free during school-related celebrations like Homecoming and Prom.
What To Do If You’ve Been in a Drunk Driving Accident in Texas
There are some essential steps you should take if you’re involved in a drunk driving accident in Texas. These actions can save your life and protect your ability to recover compensation for your losses.
Ensure Safety and Call 911
Check yourself and others for injuries. Call 911 and request an ambulance. You should always get medical attention right after an accident. This will establish the severity of your injuries and get evidence to be used later in your drunk driving accident claim.
Gather Information
If you are able, you should gather evidence at the scene of the wreck.
Exchange information with the other driver. You need to get their name, contact information, insurance details, and license plate number.
Take photos of the accident scene, damage to vehicles, and visible injuries. If the other driver seems inebriated, take a discreet video of them.
Document Everything
Keep a record of all documents you receive that are related to the accident. That includes medical treatment, records, and bills. Maintain a detailed journal of events and how the injuries have affected your life.
Put all communication with insurance companies or the other driver in a folder. Do not lose these documents, as they will be essential when you begin negotiating a settlement.
Consult a Texas Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer
It’s important to reach out to a lawyer who has handled drunk driving cases in the past. You need to work with someone who is familiar with situations like yours. They will know Texas drunk driving laws and how to build a strong case for you to get compensation.
File a Drunk Driving Claim
Your attorney can help you file an insurance claim with the drunk driver’s company. It’s important to allow your lawyer to calculate all your damages so that the insurance company doesn’t try to lowball your settlement offer.
Lee, Gober & Reyna Is Ready to Help After a Drunk Driving Accident
The statistics show a sobering reality — that drunk driving is common in Texas. You should consider the possibility that you may be on the receiving end of an accident.
Our team of lawyers has years of experience in drunk driving cases and is ready to assist you today. Call now for a free consultation of your case.