At the Law Offices of Jon Friedman, our Oregon auto accident attorneys know firsthand how impaired driving can impact public safety, and tear families apart.
With the July 4th holiday on the horizon, we often see an increase in impaired driving crashes locally, and across the nation.
Last year, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that 38% of traffic deaths were caused by impaired drivers over the July 4th weekend.
Unfortunately, impaired drivers are not limited to our roadways. Over the same holiday weekend last year, 23% of recreational boating accident deaths were attributed to impaired drivers.
Here are a few tips to help keep everyone safe on our Oregon roads and waterways.
What are the Tips to Celebrate the 4th of July Safely This Year?
There are limitless July 4th celebrations throughout Oregon, and while not all include alcohol, many do.
If you plan to drink, plan for a sober ride home. That may include designating a sober driver, using public transportation, or taking a taxi. Even a small amount of alcohol can affect your driving ability. Last year, there were 2,041 people killed in alcohol-related crashes where a driver had a BAC of .01 to .07.
If you are the one hosting a 4th of July gathering, help designated drivers remain sober by ensuring there are plenty of non-alcoholic beverages on hand.
If an intoxicated person is attempting to drive, make alternative plans to get him or her home safely by calling a cab, a sober friend, or family member.
If you are traveling over the holiday weekend, always wear your seat belt. It is your best defense against impaired drivers.
If you are on the water, the 4th of July holiday is the busiest, and often the deadliest time of the boating season. Be sure to designate a sober captain to operate the vessel. Alcohol use continues to be the leading known contributing factor in recreational boating accident deaths in the United States.
While on board, wear your life jacket. Even when your boat’s captain is sober, you cannot control the behaviors or actions of other boaters.
According to the U.S. Coast Guard, where the cause of death was known, 75% of fatal boating accident victims drowned. Of those drowning victims, 86% were not wearing a life jacket. Life jackets save lives. Be sure the boat is equipped with enough life jackets for everyone on board before departing.
Have You Been Injured in a Vehicle or Boat Collision in Oregon?
Suffering an injury or losing a loved one in a car or boat accident caused by an impaired driver can change a person and their family’s lives without notice. Allow our experienced lawyers to take the lead in representing you or your family’s interests, starting with a free consultation.
Contact our Multnomah County personal injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Jon Friedman at (503) 242-1440 and get the help you need to make informed decisions about the direction of your case.
