How to Avoid Costly and Damaging Drunk Driving Accidents

Drunk driving is one of the single biggest killers in the United States. There are approximately 12,000 fatalities annually due to drunk driving, and many more accidents and injuries. One way you can drastically reduce your chances of being caught in a drunk driving accident is to avoid high-risk driving times and areas.

Most Drunk Driving Occurs on Friday and Saturday Nights

Statistically speaking, Friday and Saturday nights are the worst time for drunk driving accidents. This may seem like a no-brainer, but it's a known fact. Alcohol related fatal crashes occur at triple the rate of daytime crashes. Similarly, during the week around 30% of fatal crashes involve alcohol, whereas during the weekend, around 50% of fatal crashes involve alcohol use.

The biggest way you can reduce your risk of being injured in a drunk driving accident is to avoid driving during these high-risk periods. Late nights into the early morning hours are the worst at-risk times, so if you'll be driving on a weekend night, avoid driving between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m.

Drive Defensively if you Must Drive at High-Risk Times

If you have to drive during the risky late night hours, drive defensively. Be extra alert for how the vehicles around you are behaving. If you see a car driving erratically, give it a wide berth. If you're driving around bar closing time (last call is 2AM at most bars) try to avoid areas where bars are located, as the higher concentration of potentially drunk drivers means you're more likely to encounter a drunk driver there.

Drunk driving can kill. It does kill around 12,000 people every year. You can take a few simple driving safety precautions to drastically reduce your chances of being involved in a drunk driving accident. Don't treat this threat lightly; do what you can to avoid drunk driving injuries.