Glen Larson Law Injury Attorneys know the unofficial start of summer typically kicks off Memorial Day weekend. Not only are the current University of Texas students and recent graduates celebrating the end of the school year, other colleges, high schools, and grade schools are ending as well.
School’s out means more pedestrians, bicyclists, and children at play in neighborhoods. It also means more motorists on our streets — traveling to and from their summer break destinations — and more boats on our lakes, reservoirs, and waterways.
Inherently, the increase in local and visitor traffic can lead to more traffic collisions and boat accidents in Austin, and throughout the rest of Texas. Unfortunately, most of these crashes are preventable, namely those caused by impaired drivers.
Never Drink and Drive any Vehicle, including Boats or Other Vessels
The latest statistics from the Texas Department of Transportation reported that last year, during the 25,261 drunk-driving crashes that occurred in Texas:
- 1,029 people were killed — equaling one DUI death every 8.5 hours.
- 24% of all traffic deaths in Texas last year were tied to drunk driving.
- 2,522 people were seriously injured in drunk driving crashes.
These grim statistics do not end on our roadways. According to U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) data, Sadly, Texas is among the top five states when it comes to alcohol-related boating accidents that involve injury, death, or property damage.
Texas averages nearly 13 drunk boating incidents for every 100,000 registered watercraft, according to a report from the USCG.
Unfortunately, Memorial Day weekend increases these dangerous incidents. Nationwide, alcohol-impaired fatalities represented 30% of the total traffic fatalities last year. During the Memorial Day period, 41% of fatalities involved an alcohol-impaired driver, according to the National Safety Council.
The only way to avoid causing a drunk driving crash in Texas is to never get behind the wheel of a vehicle, or the helm of a boat, while impaired. Drunk driving and boating put you, your passengers, and everyone else on the road or waterway at risk.
If you plan to drink during your Memorial Day celebration, designate a driver, schedule a rideshare, or charter a boat that has a captain and/or crew that can share the responsibility of getting you to and from your festivities safely.
We understand that even when you and your family take all the necessary precautions to remain safe over the crowded holiday weekends in Austin and throughout Texas, you cannot control the actions of others who choose to operate their vehicles or watercraft negligently. If your life has been negatively impacted by an intoxicated driver — either on the road or in the water — we can help you understand your legal rights and options to hold them liable for your injuries or the loss of your loved one.
Contact Glen Larson Law Injury Attorneys for Help Today
While we hope none of our Austin residents, or any of the city’s visitors, need us this Memorial Day weekend, or any other time of year — if you have been injured or lost a loved one because of another person or party’s negligence in Texas, call our skilled auto and boat accident attorneys at (512) 883-0277 or contact us online today to schedule a free consultation.
We pursue dedicated, driven results for our clients, and there is never a charge to talk to an attorney. We stand ready to help you.
