Valentine’s Day: Safety Tips for a Great Date
Valentine’s Day usually makes you think of young romance and a little innocent fun: kissing in an idling car, hitting up a drive-in-theater, waiting to see what your date wears when you pick them up for a night of dinner and dancing, etc. What do all those scenarios have in common? They all involve getting behind the wheel. Even though Valentine’s Day offers a great occasion to go out on a date with someone new or carve out a special evening for your significant other, it also comes with some elevated risk on the road.
Holidays Mean Risk
According to the National Safety Council (NSC), holidays – especially those that fall on a weekend – are generally associated with a higher-than-normal rate of accidents and fatalities due to increased traffic, alcohol consumption, and weather-related factors. Although the NSC doesn’t specifically name Valentine’s Day in its reports, many factors that fuel the most dangerous driving holidays apply to Valentine’s Day, such as consumption of alcohol and inclement weather, for example.
The Rules Still Apply
Although nothing says “Valentine’s” like splitting a bottle of red wine over candlelit cuisine, don’t let yourself get carried away just because it’s a special occasion. If you have to get home, imbibe in moderation or make alternate arrangements – like calling a taxi. The consequences of a DUI on Valentine’s aren’t going to be any more lenient, and your date (if they’re a keeper) will appreciate your concern for their safety.
And if you’re running late to pick up your date or to make a reservation, stay strong and resist the urge to speed. Not only do approximately 100,000 people receive speeding tickets every day in the U.S., but speeding is a factor in nearly one third of all traffic accidents. If you think arriving a few minutes late is bad on a first date, wait until you’re pulled over in front of red-and-blue flashers or exchanging insurance details with someone whose fender you smashed.
Don’t DJ and Drive
We know you want to impress your guy or gal pal with that amazing mix you cooked up, but the fact is that messing around with the stereo while driving is one of the quickest ways to turn a romantic night out into a literal wreck.
Distracted driving is a serious problem in the U.S. according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). In 2014 alone, 3,154 people died and 424,000 were injured as a result of car crashes involving distracted drivers. The NHTSA also estimates that at any given daylight moment in the U.S., 660,000 drivers are manipulating electronic devices of some kind (including car stereos and cell phones) while driving.
Rather than showing off your music tastes as you drive, try letting your date work the phone or radio knobs. You might learn something about them and/or find an unexpected tune you both love.
Hossley Embry: Experienced Personal Injury Attorneys
We hope you stay safe and sound on Valentine’s Day, but in case of an accident or injury, you should contact a personal injury attorney immediately. At Hossley Embry, we can help you evaluate the details of your situation and provide guidance as you pursue your claim. Don’t hesitate to get the help you need; call our offices at (866) 522-9265 right away.
References
Facts and statistics. (2013). Distraction.gov. Retrieved from http://www.distraction.gov/stats-research-laws/facts-and-statistics.html
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. (2007). Traffic safety facts. NHTSA. Retrieved from http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/810998.pdf
Neff, J. (2010, April 12). Speeding tickets: 65 issued per minute and other fun facts. Autoblog. Retrieved from http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/12/speeding-tickets-65-issued-per-minute-and-other-fun-facts/
Sauter, M.B. and Frohlich, T.C. (2013, December 23). The most dangerous holidays. 24/7 Wall Street. Retrieved from http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2013/12/23/most-dangerous-holidays-in-america/4174115/