This past Memorial Day weekend heralded in the unofficial start of summer, and many in Gulfport celebrated by taking a road trip, perhaps the first they have taken in over a year. However, a fun and relaxing holiday can turn tragic if you are struck by a drunk driver.
Memorial Day weekend sees many drunk driving accidents
Memorial Day weekend is traditionally celebrated with backyard parties or beach trips in which alcohol is served. Most people in Gulfport drink responsibly, but there will always be those who make the risky decision to drive while intoxicated — with deadly results. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that over the 2019 Memorial Day weekend 172 people across the U.S. lost their lives in a drunk driving crash. Moreover, alcohol use was a factor in 37% of all motor vehicle accident fatalities during Memorial Day weekend 2019.
Drunk driving accidents are not limited to Memorial Day weekend
Sadly, too many drunk driving crashes take place every year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that on any given day 29 individuals in the U.S. lose their lives in a drunk driving accident. This amounts to one fatality every 50 minutes. In 2016, 28% of all traffic fatalities in the U.S. involved a drunk driver.
The tragedy of drunk driving deaths
Drunk driving deaths are especially tragic because they are avoidable if a person takes care not to become inebriated. Unfortunately, many people think that it is fine to get behind the wheel of a car after consuming too much alcohol. It is up to all drivers to take alcohol use seriously and find an alternative way to travel if they go out for drinks.
