Memorial Day is a time to honor the men and women who died while serving in our country’s military. Celebrating Memorial Day originally entailed decorating the graves of fallen soldiers and attending community-wide events. Today, we celebrate through different community parades, parties, and barbecues. This holiday weekend is also known as the unofficial kickoff of the summer, giving people another reason to celebrate.
Although this is a great time to create memories with friends and family members, Memorial Day weekend is also known as a dangerous time to be on the roads. A large amount of travelers mixed with intoxicated drivers is a recipe for disaster. In fact, researchers project this weekend to be the most deadly Memorial Day holiday since 2009 because of cheap gas prices and increased drivers on the road. Avoiding a DUI and staying safe this holiday weekend can mean just a few extra precautionary steps. To explain more about staying safe this weekend here in the Tempe, AZ area, DUI attorney Mark Weingart shares the top tips for enjoying a fun and safe weekend this Memorial Day 2016.
The Dangers of Memorial Day Weekend
Statistics about this holiday weekend reveal quite a bit about the dangers associated with Memorial Day weekend. That is because more Americans plan to travel this weekend than past holiday weekends. According to a report released from WalletHub, 39% of Americans plan to travel over Memorial Day weekend. According to other reports, travel is believed to start earlier this year with drivers heading out to travel this Thursday instead of Friday or Saturday like in past years.
Although this is a great time to head out and spend time to celebrate our fallen soldiers, this is also the prime time that injuries and DUIs occur. Studies report that more than 50,000 people are injured in car crashes and 439 people are killed over the weekend. Out of those deaths, 44% are alcohol-related car crashes. Reports show that there are also 25% more home-cooking fires that happen on Memorial Day than average.
DUI reports in Arizona alone are alarming with more than 495 arrests over Memorial Day weekend in 2014. This number is actually considered a fairly low number than past years. With increased drivers on the road, it’s hard to estimate where that number will be at this holiday weekend, but law enforcement is attempting to combat this issue by setting up DUI checkpoints. These checkpoints are especially important because Memorial Day weekend is the start of what is known as the 100 deadliest days on American roads. The 100 deadliest days are particularly dangerous for teens and Memorial Day weekend seems to set the tone for the rest of the summer season.
Enjoy Memorial Day Safely in Tempe
With all of these alarming statistics, you can see why it’s so important to drive safely this holiday weekend. Like we mentioned before, there will be several DUI checkpoints set up around the Phoenix, Mesa, and Tempe area. Police officers plan to patrol specific areas to prevent dangerous drivers from causing havoc on the roads. Other than additional checkpoints and patrols, there are many ways you can help keep the roads safe. First and foremost, don’t drink and drive! If you plan to drink, here are a few tips to stay safe while celebrating this Memorial Day weekend:
- Keep Track of Your Drinks: Keeping track of the amount of drinks you’re consuming throughout the night is a great way to assess if you’re okay to drive. We encourage you to know your limits and if you’re unsure, simply stay off the roads!
- Arrange for a Designated Driver or Public Transportation: If you plan to drink, it’s best to have transportation arranged beforehand. Plan ahead and find a designated driver or use public transportation after drinking.
- Use Apps like Uber or Lyft: You can also avoid a DUI by using an app like Uber or Lyft. This will ensure you get home safely and avoid the danger and cost of a DUI.
- Arrange an Overnight Stay With Your Host: Can’t arrange transportation? See if you can stay with your host overnight to avoid driving while intoxicated.
From all of us here at Weingart Firm, we hope you enjoy your Memorial Day weekend! We hope our readers have a fun, safe weekend, but we are here to help if you happen to find yourself dealing with a DUI charge. Choosing an experienced, knowledgeable attorney can make all the difference in your case. The professionals here at Weingart Firm work hard to get the best results possible for your case. Contact us today to find out more about how we can help your case!
