The start of 2024 is just a few hours away, and New Year’s Eve is known for being one of the most dangerous times of the year, especially for accidents involving drunk drivers.

According to the National Safety Council, an estimated 375 people will die in the United States from drunk driving deaths this weekend. Many people use New Year’s Eve celebrations as an excuse to get drunk. When drunk drivers choose to get behind the wheel, they pose a serious danger to themselves and others.

Whether you are hosting a New Year’s Eve party or attending one yourself, remember that there are numerous things you can do to celebrate New Year’s Eve safely and to protect yourself from becoming a statistic, including:

New Year’s Eve Safety Tips

1) Don’t drink and drive! It’s not only a safety hazard, it’s illegal!  If you plan on going out for New Year’s Eve, designate a sober driver, take an Uber or cab, plan to sleep over at the host’s home, or arrange for a sober driver to pick you up.

2) Plan for guests’ safety. If you are hosting a party, plan a way to have guests get home safely or have a place for them to sleep over until they are sober.

3) Consider pet safety. Many pets get frightened around loud noises, especially fireworks. Keeping your pets inside can help avoid these issues. Make sure any pet that has a chance to get outside is properly identified with a collar or microchip.

4) Try not to leave your car overnight. New Year’s Day is the second most active holiday for car theft. Make sure your car is locked and try to pick it up as early as you can the next day.

5) Be mindful at public events. Don’t travel alone; make sure you have a cell phone on you, and be aware of your surroundings.

6) Avoid using fireworks or flare guns without understanding local laws and safety rules.

We Can Help If You Are Injured

If you have suffered a significant injury or a loved one has been injured as a result of a New Year’s Eve accident caused by someone else, contact Kennedy, Kennedy, Robbins & Yarbro, LC or call us at (573)686-2459. We offer a free case evaluation for personal injury and auto accident cases. We can advise you of your options and inform you of your right to financial compensation.

Our Office is Closed for the New Year’s Eve Holiday

Our office will close at 4:00 p.m., Friday, December 29, 2023. The office will reopen on Tuesday, January 2, 2024.