Avoiding Spring Break Accidents in Florida

A Report From Your Wellington Injury Lawyersr
As thousands of tourists descend upo
Florida’s roadways and beaches seeking warmer weather over spring break, the potential for accidents to both vacationers and Florida residents rises. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, March is the month during which the most fatal car accidents occurred over a five-year period. Unfortunately, as your Wellington injury lawyers well know, many of these fatalities are linked to the consumption of alcohol.
For many spring break visitors - college students in particular - heavy drinking is a prerequisite for a fun vacation. Not surprisingly, high rates of alcohol consumption can lead to driving under the influence, and the many negative consequences of a DUI conviction. Like many states, Florida imposes serious penalties for persons who are convicted of DUI, including fines, probation, jail time, community service, driver’s license suspension or revocation, and increased insurance premiums. Perhaps most importantly, when you are driving under the influence, you are much more likely to be involved in a fatal motor vehicle accident, or one involving serious injuries to you, your passengers, or other motorists.
In order to avoid the potential of suffering serious injury or death due to a DUI accident, or another type of accident related to alcohol consumption, your Wellington personal injury attorneys advise you to take the following precautions. These precautions apply whether you are a tourist on vacation, a local resident, or a college student visiting South Florida over spring break.
• When going out for a night on the town, walk or take a taxi from one destination to the next rather than driving your own vehicle or a rental car.
• Designate another person to remain sober, even if you will not be driving. This person can help all members of your group avoid other common drinking-related accidents, such as pedestrians wandering into traffic, friends becoming ill from excess drinking, and people stumbling and falling, causing injuries.
• Stay together in groups of people you know in order to avoid unsafe encounters while under the influence of alcohol.
• Remain in public, well-lit areas and carry a cell phone at all times.
• Keep in contact with a close friend or family member, especially if you are traveling far away from home.
• Don’t drink so much that you are completely incapacitated and unable to make sound decisions. Remember that even a small amount of alcohol can negatively impact your judgment.
Following these steps can greatly decrease your chances of being involved in a DUI accident or other alcohol-related accident. However, if you or a loved one is injured in a DUI or other accident, the Wellington injury lawyers at the Shiner Law Group can provide a free and confidential consultation regarding any claim for damages that you might have.