On Long Island this Saturday night there was another fatal car accident involving a driver alleged to be driving while under the influence. The accident occurred in Greeport, a small community on the North Fork of Long Island. The driver, John Costello was charged with driving while intoxicated. Shortly before 7 pm, Mr. Costello’s car allegedly crossed over into oncoming traffic and struck another vehicle head on. A passenger in the vehicle struck by Mr. Costello’s car died.
This tragedy is a reminder that driving during the holiday season can sometimes be dangerous, especially at night. There are many reasons for the increased risk of being involved in a motor vehicle accident at this time of year. Many people are attending holiday parties for the office or with friends and family. Inevitably, this leads to more people consuming alcohol and driving.
And who hasn’t noticed the traffic on the roads this time of year? It seems as if everyone is out there running errands, shopping and racing to get where they need to be. Tempers are high from waiting on long lines at the store and patience is low. I think everyone can relate to the level of driver courtesy this time of year being lower than at other times for all of these reasons.
Crowded roadways, impatient drivers and the consumption of alcohol all pose a significant risk to your safety on the roads this holiday season. So how can you ensure you and your family remain safe on the way to your holiday gatherings? It’s a good idea to keep an eye out for people that may be driving while under the influence. There are some signs that you can look out for that may save your life.
Here are some tips:
1 – Many intoxicated drivers have trouble maintaining their driving lane. Swerving in and out of lanes is a sure sign that a driver may be intoxicated.
2 – Another sign a driver may be intoxicated is failing to observe traffic control devices. Be wary of the driver that rolls past a stop sign or runs a red light.
3 – Intoxicated drivers often speed, or drive well below the speed limit. So watch out for people driving at speeds that are unusual for the particular road that you are on.
Unfortunately, no matter how careful that you are, it is not always possible to avoid drunk drivers. The best solution may be to avoid driving during the times when there are likely to be drunk drivers on the road. Usually, the later in the evening that you are on the road the more of a chance that there will be intoxicated drivers. Try and avoid driving at those times if possible.
Lastly, it wouldn’t hurt if everyone took a little more care while driving this month. Have courtesy for your fellow drivers, and remember that everyone has someplace to be. Hopefully, with a little care and planning everyone will remain happy and healthy this holiday season.