Summer is when we spend more time outside, more time catching up with friends, maybe enjoying outdoor events like concerts and barbeques. Unfortunately, it is also a time when many people tend to drink more—and then get behind the wheel to drive. Drinking and driving NEVER mix well.
The Price of Drunk Driving
Over Memorial Day weekend 2017, a Louisville family lost a loved one to a drunk driver. Their nephew was on his way home from work when a man with a previous DUI hit him. The young man, though rushed to a hospital, passed away from his injuries after a few days without ever waking from a coma. He was only 28, and an army veteran.
Sometimes, victims have nothing to do with their accidents. They are simply in the wrong place at the wrong time and suffer because of it. If people continue to drink and drive, there will be more innocent victims.
The Impact of Weather on Alcohol Intake
In the scorching summer weather, we all get thirsty easily. Sometimes, a cold beer or a fruity cocktail on ice hits the spot. And if we’re feeling hot, we tend to want to drink more to quench that thirst.
The problem? Sun exposure and heat can increase alcohol’s effects on judgment, reaction time, alertness, and coordination.
Getting behind the wheel with anything over 0.08 blood alcohol content is considered “impaired” driving. The reality, however, is that a lower BAC still has an impact on a driver’s abilities. In addition, alcohol has a diuretic effect on your system—it actually dehydrates you and convinces you to drink more.
Ways to Enjoy Summer
It is definitely possible to enjoy all the good times of summer without imbibing alcohol. But if you do have a few drinks, here are good tips to keep you safe and sober:
- Alternate water and other drinks. Don’t drink beer after beer after beer. Instead, mix things up. Have water, sports drinks, and an occasional alcoholic drink.
- Don’t get behind the wheel. Designate a driver. Whether this means calling an Uber or Lyft, having one member of the group not drink at all, or simply turning your keys in to the host and staying the night, do not assume you’re “fine” when your judgment is potentially impaired by drinking.
- Manage your risks. Understand that alcohol affects your inhibitions and impairs your perceptions. That dive that you would never try sober might seem mighty appealing after a few margaritas. “Staying safe and sober” might not sound as fun as a Facebook status as “cliff jumping,” but it allows you to post the next day.
Louisville Drunk Driving Injury Lawyers
If you or a loved one was severely injured or killed by a drunk driver’s negligent actions, you likely have many questions. For a free consultation, contact Kaufman & Stigger, PLLC, at (502) 458-5555 for advice if you or someone you care about was injured in a drunk driving accident this summer. We are experienced Louisville Car Accident Lawyers with a long track record of success.
