The Fourth of July is the perfect time to enjoy food, fun, and maybe a few drinks with family and friends. Whether you’re attending a fireworks show or hitting the bars, Tampa is the perfect place to celebrate America’s Birthday.
The sad truth is that Independance Day is one of the most dangerous holidays of the year. Fireworks, hot grills, traffic, and other hazards can cause serious injuries or even death. Drunk driving rates spike over the July Fourth weekend.
The best way to prevent injuries and deaths this holiday weekend is to follow the below safety tips:
Do Not Drink And Drive
The best way to avoid a DUI collision is to stay sober if you will be getting behind the wheel of a car. Too many people believe they can operate a vehicle safely after a few drinks, but the truth is that driving under the influence puts your life, your passengers’ lives, and the lives of others sharing the road at risk, so do not chance it.
Look Out For Possible Drunk Drivers
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, police use more than 100 visual cues to identify drunk drivers. Knowing the signs can help you to avoid a DUI crash. Some of the cues include:
- Swerving
- Almost hitting an object in the road
- Stopping well before or after a stop line
- Not using headlights at night
- Using the wrong turn signal
- Parking too far from a curb
- Abnormal accelerating and braking patterns
Use Lyft Or Uber
Both Uber and Lyft operate in the Tampa Bay area. If you intend to drink or if your DD gets drunk, use a taxi or rideshare service to get to your destination. You can even split the fare with your friends. Even if you are riding alone, the cost of a ride home safe is much cheaper than a DUI.
If you or someone you love happens to suffer an injury due to a drunk driver on July Fourth, our Tampa Bay Injury Lawyers at Whittel & Melton will be available to help. You can reach us 24/7 for a free consultation by calling 727-823-0000 or contact us online.
Stay Safe & Have A Happy Fourth of July!