New York has some of the strictest driving laws in the nation, but those alone won’t stop reckless drivers from endangering pedestrians and other motorists. We’ve now entered into arguably the most dangerous driving season of the year, summer.
One of the main reasons why this is one of the worst times to drive is because the amount of drunk drivers that will show up in the next few months. While these motorists are a problem for New Yorkers throughout the whole year, they are especially problematic once school’s out. It is important for residents to know when to keep an eye out for them and who are often the culprits.
Holiday hassles
The most popular holidays of the year also tend to have the highest drunk driving crash rates. Summer has three major holidays to worry about: Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day.
Memorial Day and Labor Day typically offer workers an additional day off that many use to travel or spend time with their families. Unfortunately, many employees take their celebrations too far around this time and don’t bother calling an Uber or taxi to get them home. This year’s Memorial Day was certainly not devoid of preventable fatalities in New York.
Many consider the Fourth of July to be one of the most dangerous holidays of the year for drivers. There might not be a lot of places for proper backyard barbecues on the lawn here, but the city is certainly not devoid of parties where attendees can get intoxicated very quickly. While you should keep an eye out for suspicious driving patterns throughout the summer, you need to pay especially close attention around these times.
The drunk youth
The 2017 Highway Safety Annual Report reveals that drivers between the ages of 16 and 24 make up a large portion of drivers that drove shortly after drinking. These young adults are inexperienced when it comes to driving and handling their beverages.
It’s not just the teens you have to worry about behind the wheel during the summer. Plenty of college students have these months off too. Many return to their homes while several are taking internships in the city and are not familiar with the crowded and complicated roads we have.
Unfortunately, taking as much precautions as you can won’t stop every drunk driver from hitting you. If you suffer on the road from one during these busy months, contact a motor vehicle accident attorney to help you seek justice against the negligent motorist.
