The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is currently publicizing their “Buckling up Could Save Your Giblets” campaign to remind drivers and passengers about the importance of buckling up. More drivers on the road mean more accidents. Additionally, safety conscious drivers need to exercise additional caution and vigilance during evening hours due to the increased potential of drunk driving crashes.

Drunk Drivers During the Holidays

Unfortunately, the holidays are a notorious time for wrecks involving drunk drivers.  With the increase in celebrations and festivities, some people choose to get behind the wheel after drinking. In addition to buckling up, drivers need to be on the lookout for drunk drivers too. Since the holidays can be such a dangerous time for drivers and passenger vehicle occupants, state and local law enforcement agencies across Florida are going to be stepping up efforts to keep the roadways safe.

NHTSA’s Seat Belt Statistics

• In 2011, 249 people lost their lives in crashes over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.
• 50 percent of those victims were not wearing seat belts when their vehicles crashed.
• People are more likely to wear seat belts during daytime driving hours than at night.
• Seat belts save more than 13,000 lives nationwide each year.
• One in five people riding in or driving a car neglects to wear a seat belt in America.
• Of the 21,253 people killed in wrecks in 2011, 52 percent were not wearing seat belts.
• The risk of fatal injury can be reduced by 45 percent with proper seat belt use.
• The risk of moderate to serious injury is reduced by 50 percent for people who wear seat belts.

Buckle Up

It’s important to buckle up this holiday season and all year long. Buckling up is the single most effective way to protect one’s self in the event of a crash. With get-togethers, celebrations and holiday festivities on the horizon, there will be more drunk drivers on the roadways.

The holidays should be a time of joyous celebration. Remember to buckle up for short trips across town and long trips across the country. If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, contact the experienced attorneys at Weldon and Rothman, PL for a free case consultation. The team at Weldon and Rothman, PL wishes everybody a safe and happy Thanksgiving.

Legal Disclaimer: The above guidelines are educational in nature and do not create an attorney/client relationship. It is highly recommended that all Florida accident victims contact an experienced local Florida personal injury attorney to assist them with specific facts and circumstances regarding their motor vehicle accident. If you have been the victim of a motor vehicle accident in Florida, then feel free to contact Attorney Weldon toll free at (877) 730-5180 or via e-mail atinfo@weldonrothman.com

Richard L. Weldon, II is an experienced Florida personal injury attorney who has obtained the AV Preeminent Rating by Martindale-Hubbell. He is the managing attorney of Weldon & Rothman, PL – a Southwest Florida law firm with offices in Naples, Fort Myers, and Sarasota.