Posts Tagged ‘Holiday’

As Holiday Invitations Come In, Start Planning to Prevent Homestead Drunk Driving Accidents

Sunday, January 6th, 2013

During this time of year, many Homestead residents are getting invitations to work holiday parties as well as holiday get-togethers from friends and family. While it’s exciting to get invitations and to schedule them into your planner, this is also a good opportunity to make sure that you plan ahead for safety.

Holiday parties are a cause of concern for local law enforcement, since alcohol served at holiday parties can lead some motorists to make poor decisions, leading to Homestead drunk driving accidents. Homestead car accidents involving alcohol do typically increase during the holiday season in many years, according to authorities. Sometimes, drivers simply make poor decisions after drinking at a holiday party and the consequences can be tragic. Each year, people sustain serious Homestead head injuries, spinal cord injuries, and even fatalities due to drunk driving.

You can help prevent these types of tragedies by planning well in advance. When you get an invitation for a holiday party, don’t just consider whether you can attend or whether the party fits into your schedule. Also plan ahead to determine how you can get home safely. For example, one of the things you want to consider is whether the party will be alcohol free or whether alcohol will be served. If alcohol will be served, consider how you will get home safely.

To do this, consider where the party is held. If the party is held at your workplace, find out whether your employer will be providing a way to get home safely. Consider public transportation as a way to get home safely, but also consider when the party will be ending. The party may and well after public transportation is no longer available. If this is the case, you will need a list of local cab companies as well as cash on hand so that you can call for a taxicab after the party.

Be especially alert for parties that can end late and for parties that are in remote locations. Often, these are the most challenging if you will be drinking. Taxicabs from remote locations may be more expensive and public transportation may not be available late at night or in remote areas. Hotel rooms and motel rooms may also not be available in these areas. Therefore, you will need to plan ahead and arrange for a friend or family member to pick you up. You may also want to have a list of cab companies on hand as well as extra money to get home safely. Or, you can make arrangements with your host in order to stay at their home after drinking. Planning ahead can reduce the risk that you will be involved in a Homestead traffic accident simply because you didn’t plan ahead and ran out of options when it was late and you found yourself far away from an easy way to get home.

Keep in mind that after a party where you have been drinking you may feel tired and anxious to get home. This makes it easier for you to make a bad decision. To avoid being in a Homestead traffic accident caused by drunk driving, make it easy for yourself to do the right thing. Plan ahead and have more than one way to get home safe. Better yet, consider leaving your car at home and take a cab to the party so that you are not tempted to drive home after you have been drinking.


Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog

Have a safe and festive holiday season

Sunday, December 30th, 2012

Law enforcement agencies all across North Carolina continue to hit the roads with extra enforcement for the holiday season. Although most company gatherings may have already passed, police remain on the lookout for traffic violations, and possible drivers who are impaired,–and the crackdown will continue through the New Year’s celebration. Many families get together throughout the holiday season. Friends, families and companies may have celebrations planned though the New Year’s celebration.

While a traffic ticket, or DWI charge, could certainly put a damper on holiday festivities, traffic accidents are also of concern for law enforcement. When most people think of DWI charges, the common response is to think of drunk driving offenses. But it is important to note that law enforcement in Pitt County, and across the state, is also wary of drugged driving offenses. Among the issues drivers may face are DWI charges involving the use of a duly prescribed medication.

A trooper with the North Carolina Highway Patrol recently told the Sampson independent that drivers need to be aware that medications can cause impairment. He says, “Many drivers are arrested for impaired driving each year because they are operating a vehicle while impaired because of prescription medications and/or illegal drugs.”

North Carolina law generally treats prescription medication DWI charges as harshly as any other DWI charge. This holiday season-through the New Year-drivers can expect North Carolina law enforcement to be patrolling the roads, looking for a variety of traffic offenses. The Highway Patrol says that it is emphasizing so-called hazardous violations of the state traffic and DWI laws. That includes such offenses as speeding, seatbelt offenses, aggressive driving and distracted driving.

It is important to use common sense all through the year, but law enforcement says that the holiday season is a good time to remind drivers to use common sense.

Having a safe holiday season is important for all North Carolina residents. Greenville DWI defense lawyers are aware that some drivers may be pulled into the criminal justice system during this festive time of year. Anyone accused of a traffic violation, or DWI charges can speak with legal counsel for help in navigating the criminal justice system.

Source: Sampson Independent, “Patrol urges caution during holiday travel,” Sherry Matthews, Dec. 24, 2012

Greenville DUI Attorney Blog | North Carolina Underage Drinking Lawyer | Pitt County First DUI Law Firm

How You Can Prevent Miami Drunk Driving Accidents This Holiday Season

Monday, January 16th, 2012

Miami takes extra steps to prevent Miami car accidents caused by drinking and driving during the holiday season. Unfortunately, holiday parties and events can increase the number of DUI accidents on the city’s roads. It is everyone’s responsibility to prevent these types of Miami traffic accidents and there are many things you can do to help prevent DUI accidents this holiday season:

1) Carry extra cash in your wallet. Place this money apart from the rest of your money, perhaps in a separate pocket or behind some of your ID, so that you will not spend it. Having extra cash ensures that you always have money towards a taxi, so that there is no excuse for getting behind the wheel of your car after you have been drinking.

2) Have more than one safe way to get home at all times. In many instances, public transportation or even a taxi may not be an option – especially if you are well outside the city. In your glove compartment, keep a range of taxi phone numbers, cash for taxis, information about bus routes, motel room information, and a list of friends you can call for a safe drive home. The more safe options you have, the more likely you are to choose a safe alternative to get home.

3) Prepare to drink – even if you don’t plan on drinking. It’s easy to assume that you will not drink at a holiday party and will therefore be able to get yourself home. However, once at that party you may be tempted to drink or you may end up unwittingly drinking a holiday punch that is full of brandy. Don’t assume that you will be able to drive yourself home; always have options and cash on hand.

4) Consider taking a no-drinking-and-driving pledge with friends. MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) as well as other organizations make such pledges available. Signing a pledge and promising not to drink and drive can help you consider the risks of Miami drunk driving accidents and can help you make the right choice.

5) Talk to your children about drinking and driving. Don’t assume that just because your children are under the legal age of drinking that they are safe from Miami drunk driving accidents. Underage drinking is a very real problem, and even if your teens do not drink, they may get in a car with a driver who has been drinking. Discuss the dangers of drinking and driving with your children and have your children promise to call you rather than driving home with someone who has been drinking. Make sure that you praise, rather than punish, your children for making the right decision if they do call you for a safe drive home.

6) Be responsible when serving alcohol at your holiday parties. If someone is in a drunk driving accident after leaving a party where you served alcohol, you could be held partly liable, and a Miami premises liability claim will make your holidays very unpleasant. Consider holding alcohol-free parties. If that is not an option, stop serving alcohol early and make sure that everyone has a safe way to get home.


Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog

Give the Gift of Safety: Holiday Gifts That Can Prevent Miami Car Accidents

Sunday, December 18th, 2011

Are there still people on your holiday shopping list? If you are looking for some great presents that can also help your loved ones avoid Miami traffic accidents, consider:

1) A hand-held breathalyzer. These are available at many department stores, and can help prevent Miami drunk driving accidents. There are even key chains with small breathalyzers on them. Although not as accurate as the systems used by authorities, these small items can help a loved one re-consider driving after they have been drinking.

2) A GPS system. GPS systems are more affordable than ever before – and more accurate. They can help a loved one find their way to various destinations without the distraction of maps. They can guide a driver to a destination without requiring the driver to take their eyes off the road, and this can help prevent Miami car accidents.

3) A rear-view camera system. Miami rollover accidents are tragic, but there are small cameras which can be mounted on the back of a car to allow drovers to see exactly what is behind them before they start backing up. In some cases, these systems are combined with GPS systems in one device.

4) A winter safety kit or emergency kit. Emergency kits and winter driving kits are very affordable but contain the various items that someone might need after a Miami traffic accident or after a car breaking down.

5) A gift certificate for a tune-up. Many mechanics offer gift cards and gift certificates. This can be a great gift for anyone, as it can ensure that a driver’s car is in great shape and ready to avoid a Miami truck accident or traffic accident.

6) Driving lessons. If you have a new driver in your life, consider giving the gift of additional private driving lessons. These can help a new driver hone their driving skills and their confidence behind the wheel, putting them less at risk for a Miami car accident. Refresher courses are a great gift for drivers of any age, as are racing lessons. Racing lessons are fun and help teach driving skills and confidence that can help any driver drive more safely.

7) Reflective clothing for the joggers and pedestrians on your list. Miami pedestrian accidents are a major cause of concern, and Miami bicycle accidents are all too common. If you have friends and family who enjoy biking or walking, get them reflective clothing, hats, or accessories, so that they can stay safer while exercising.


Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog

North Carolina to ramp up DWI enforcement for holiday

Sunday, May 29th, 2011

The Memorial Day weekend is traditionally the kick-off to the summer. This year, North Carolina State Police are marking the holiday weekend as the kick-off to a new campaign. State police and officers with the North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission will be taking to the roads across the state and the state’s waterways, especially along the coast to step up enforcement of North Carolina DWI laws.

The campaign, called “On the Road or On the Water” reportedly is the first joint effort between the state police and wildlife conservation officers seeking to jointly enforce DWI laws in the state. North Carolina alcohol enforcement agents reportedly will also join in the holiday weekend effort. The campaign is slated to run on each of the summer’s three major holidays.

It appears to be the first time the agencies have joined together in a single campaign to increase enforcement on land and water. The joint effort appears to be in recognition of the increased travel that occurs over the summer’s holiday periods. Craig Lloyd, director of MADD in North Carolina, says people who drink while boating eventually take their boats out of the water and drive home.

State trooper plan to set up sporadic sobriety checkpoints near various recreational areas across the state over the holiday weekend to enforce DWI laws. The legal limit in North Carolina for blood alcohol content is the same whether operating a vehicle on North Carolina roads or a boat on the state’s waters. The legal limit is .08.

Any experienced Greenville DWI defense attorney knows that a North Carolina DWI charge resulting in conviction can bring harsh penalties, including-but not limited to- fines, potential jail time and loss of license.

Source: Star News Online, “Agencies join effort to target driving or boating while intoxicated,” Brian Freskos 26 May 2011

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Traveling to See Family This Holiday Season? Plan to Arrive Safe

Sunday, January 16th, 2011

This is the time of year when many families are planning long trips – including loan road trips – for the holidays. If you want to help prevent Florida car accidents and arrive safely, you need to plan ahead. Here’s how:

1) Use online mapping tools to chart your holiday driving plans, especially if the route is not familiar with you. Tools such as Google maps and Google Streetview allow you to envision your route before you go, select different routes, and even estimate how long your drive will take you.

2) Plan to drive well-rested. When deciding on your trip, develop a strategy to ensure that you will not drive fatigued. Fatigued driving causes many Florida pedestrian accidents and traffic accidents each year. Make sure that the day before you leave is not too hectic and you have enough time to get a proper rest. Note hotels and motels along your route, in case you are tired and need a rest. Consider driving with a friend, who can do some of the driving when you get tired.

3) Plan to drive undistracted. Distracted driving causes many Florida truck accidents and car accidents each year. Make sure that you avoid all distractions – such as mobile devices and loud music – while you drive. Turn your phone off before you get in the car, to prevent family members from calling to check where you are on your route.

4) Consider weather past state lines if you are driving outside of Florida for the holidays. If you will be driving well outside the state, you may encounter snowy conditions and ice on the roads. Make sure your vehicle is in good shape and has good snow tires for the journey. Listen to weather reports before you leave and change your plans as needed.

Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog

November 3 – 6, 2011, Holiday Inn, Sharonville

Friday, January 14th, 2011

Directions
From I-275 take exit 46 (Sharonville Mason exit). Turn left on Route 42. Turn left on Hauck Road.

Program Times
The program check-in is between 5:30-6:00 pm Thursday night and check out is around 5:00 on Sunday.

No evening meal is served on Thursday so it is advisable to have your evening meal before arriving at the program. For the rest of the program, three meals a day will be provided.

Access DUI » ACCESS DUI

Holiday Fatigue and Florida Car Accidents

Monday, January 10th, 2011

For many of us, the holidays are a very hectic time of year. In addition to the usual round of work and social activities, many of us are contributing to charitable causes, working longer hours, attending holiday functions, decorating for the holidays, hosting holiday gatherings, and more. All of this can lead to sleep-deprivation and fatigue, all of which can contribute to Florida pedestrian accidents and traffic accidents. Numerous studies have shown that fatigued driving is just as dangerous as drunk driving. Like drunk driving, driving when fatigues means slower response times. Drivers who are tired may fall asleep at the wheel or may simply be too exhausted to notice obstacles on the road. There are many things you can do to help reduce Florida car accidents caused by fatigue this season:

1) Get good rest and take care of yourself. While it may be difficult to fit in extra rest, it is important. You will find that you may be more productive and therefore need less time to accomplish more with some rest. Short naps and good nightly sleeps are important. Exercise and good food can also ensure that you feel energetic and awake.

2) Never combine alcohol with poor sleep. Florida drunk driving accidents are all too common. When drivers drink, they always run the risk of causing a serious and even fatal car accident. However, combining alcohol and fatigue can be an even more deadly combination. Alcohol causes sleepiness, so if you are already tired, alcohol can actually cause you to fall asleep at the wheel.

3) Use a buddy system. Shopping and running holiday errands with a friend or two is not only more fun – it can be safer. Running errands with a friend allows you to delegate or share some tasks, so that you have more time to rest. As well, it gives you an alternative way to get home. If you are too tired to drive home, your friend can take over driving duties.

4) Treat fatigue like drinking. In many ways, to help prevent Florida car accidents caused by fatigue, we all need to make a conscious shift in our way of thinking. Drinking and driving has become socially unacceptable, but many people still feel that they will be “fine” if they drive tired, even though research has proven otherwise. It is safest to treat fatigue the way you treat drinking: if you wouldn’t drink and drive, don’t get behind the wheel when you feel tired.

Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog

Avoid Getting in a Holiday Florida Car Accident This Year

Sunday, January 9th, 2011

Florida pedestrian accidents and other traffic accidents are all too common at this time of year. Many more people are traveling in cars, increasing the risks of Florida car accidents. At the same time, many holiday parties mean that more people are making the poor choice to drink and drive. While you cannot control what other people do this holiday season, there are ways you can ensure that you stay safe:

1) Review the rules. The rules of the road, especially if you have new drivers in your family. Car accidents are still a leading cause of injuries to children and minors in Florida during the holiday season, so make sure that your young drivers know the rules – and make sure that they know they can count on a drive from you if they run into trouble.

2) Have several plans for getting home alive. If you have any plans to socialize this holiday season, consider how you will get home. Keep taxi numbers in your wallet as well as bus route information and a cell phone in your pocket. Find out about local shuttle and ride services for the holidays. Know a few places to call when you get stuck and it will be easy to make a smart decision.

3) Create a support group. Call friends and family and have them pledge with you not to drive drunk or distracted this holiday season. Exchange phone numbers and promise to give each other support as well as a safe ride home where possible this holiday season.

4) Consider taking public transportation. Taking a taxi or a train or bus to an event removes the temptation to drive yourself home. Even if you are just shopping, taking public transit or a taxi is often safer and can reduce overall congestion on the roads.

5) Keep your car tuned up. Check the tires, brakes, shocks, and other vital systems of your car. Make sure your car will respond quickly in case you need to act fast to avoid a car collision.

Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog

Preventing Florida Drunk Driving Accidents This Holiday Season

Saturday, December 25th, 2010

Florida drunk driving accidents are always a concern at this time of year. Police authorities across Florida report an increase in drinking and driving. Many parties serve alcohol at this time of year, increasing the chances that some drivers will make the bad mistake of driving drunk and potentially causing a serious Florida car accident. No matter who you are, there are things you can do to help avert this type of tragedy:

1) Be a responsible party-goer. If you are headed to holiday events, have at least three alternative means of getting home. If you only plan to call a taxi but the taxis are all busy, you may feel stuck. If you have three plans to get home (such as a designated driver, a friend you can call, or public transit) you are more likely to make the smart choice.

2) No matter who you are, have a plan. You may not think you need a plan because you don’t plan to drink this holiday season or don’t plan to serve alcohol. However, it is impossible to predict when and where you may decide to have a cup of good cheer. Even if you don’t think you will be drinking, have at least three ways to get home. If you have children, talk to them about their alternate routes home, even if they are underage. If your underage children drink, you don’t want them getting in the car with an intoxicated driver. Make sure that they know they can call you and other family members for help.

3) Be a responsible host. If you are hosting a party, make sure that you have alternative means of transport for any guests who may drink. Even if you do not plan to serve alcohol, have a plan ready to help out anyone who brings their own drinks. Refuse to let guests drink and drive.

4) Arm yourself with what you need. To get home safely, you need a plan and you need information. If you plan to take public transportation, for example, you will need a route of the bus as well as a ticket or fare. If you plan to take a taxi, you will need to have a way to pay for the taxi. Having everything you need will greatly increase the chances that you will make the right choice.

5) Take part in the efforts of local law enforcement. Law enforcement authorities often launch drunk driving awareness campaigns at this time of year. Learn how you can take part in and support your local campaign. It could help local authorities prevent more Florida drunk driving accidents.

6) Take steps to avert accidents. If you see someone who wants to drive even though they are obviously drunk, intervene if it is someone you know. If you see someone who is weaving on the road or driving in a way that may mean they are drunk, contact local authorities at once. You could save a life.

Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog