It may seem to many in Monmouth that it’s difficult to turn on the news anymore without hearing about another accident related to drunk driving. Yet despite the many stories people hear, most never believe that they will be involved in drunk driving accidents. Statistics, however, seem to strongly indicate that no one is immune from the dangers posed by drunk drivers. Information collected for the book Drunk Driving and shared by the website RandomHistory.com shows that 30 percent of all Americans will be involved in a drunk driving accident at some point in their lifetimes.
New Jersey drivers are not immune from the dangers posed by drunk drivers. According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving, 28 percent of all traffic fatalities that occurred in the state in 2012 were due to drunk driving. Yet while drivers can’t do anything to control the likelihood of encountering drunk drivers on the road, they can take steps to protect themselves from them:
- Stay home on the holidays: The time off of work and large gatherings associated with holidays often contribute to increased alcohol consumption. Stay off the roads to avoid encountering one who’s been celebrating a little too much.
- Don’t drive late at night: Most instances of DUI occur after a long night spent at a bar or with friends. While avoiding late night driving altogether may not be realistic, drivers should limit it as much as they can.
- Maintain a well-functioning vehicle: Keeping up on a vehicle’s maintenance helps to ensure that should a driver have to swerve or brake suddenly to avoid a drunk driver, his or her vehicle will have the responsiveness needed to do so.
While these tips can’t guarantee one’s safety from drunk drivers, they at least lower the chances of facing such encounters on the road.
