July 4 still one of the most dangerous days on the road

Many assume that New Years Eve is the best night to stay off the roads to avoid drunk drivers. However, Americans love to celebrate July 4th with family and friends. This often leads to long days in the sun eating and having fun. According to the Department of Transportation (DOT), the fun turns tragic with the 4th being one of the most deadly of the year for drivers and their passengers due to drunk-driving crashes.

The numbers

According to a new report with the final results of the 2016 holiday, from July 2 at 6 p.m. to July 6 at 5:59 a.m., the numbers went up substantially. There was a 28 percent increase in drunk driving fatalities from 2015 to 2016.

• There were 188 people killed in crashes that involved at least one driver over the legal limit of .08 blood alcohol concentration (BAC) or higher.
• Nearly half of the drivers involved in the accident had a BAC of .15 or higher, which is almost twice the legal limit.

Drunk drivers are a threat to others

While most public service messages focus on reminding drivers that “buzzed driving is still drunk driving,” the fact is that these drivers also present a threat to the safety and well-being of their passengers and fellow motorists.

Accidents involving alcohol can have tragic and life changing consequences for the accident victims and their families in cases of wrongful death. It is always wise to drive defensively, but this may not be enough to protect the victims. If you suspect that the other party was reckless, it is wise to discuss the accident with an attorney who has experience working with victims in car accidents. It may be possible to gain compensation for the injury and damage caused by these negligent drivers.