Memorial Day is less than two weeks away. I hope you enjoy the holiday with your loved ones, but as a Memphis car crash attorney, I also want you to celebrate responsibly. Drunk drivers are on the road all year long, but certain times of year, like Memorial Day weekend, come with greater rates of impaired driving, and a higher risk for anyone on the road.

Memorial Day kicks off what some studies have called “The 100 Deadliest Days” for teen drivers. 9 of the 10 deadliest days for young drivers fall between Memorial Day and Labor Day, when there are more teens drinking underage.

No matter your age, driving on any big summer weekend holiday comes with a higher risk. According to one recent study, you are four times as likely to die in a traffic accident over Memorial Day weekend as you are on an ordinary, non-holiday weekend. Between 2011–2015, there were 312 fatal accidents per year on the holiday. That study found 308 fatalities on Labor Day and 307 on the Fourth of July.

Here are some tips to say safe, based on what I’ve seen over the past 40 years as a Memphis car crash attorney.

Make a plan, and avoid driving drunk yourself.

One of the most important things you can do to stay safe is to avoid driving while intoxicated. Make a solid plan for the night. If you are the designated driver of your group, practice these tips to reduce the risk of colliding with a drunk driver.

Know the Signs of a Drunk Driver

Whether you’ll be a driver or a pedestrian on Memorial Day, look out for others and help prevent accidents by knowing how to spot a drunk driver. If you see a driver under the influence, calling 911 can make or break someone else’s safety.

There are some telltale signs that someone is driving while intoxicated. Learning how to recognize them could save your life, or someone else’s. They include the following.

  • Problems staying in the proper lane
  • Speed and braking problems
  • Vigilance problems — poor awareness of conditions, such as driving without headlights or using the wrong turn signal
  • Judgment problems — tailgating, changing lanes too quickly, and more

Get Help From a Memphis Car Crash Attorney

When someone else’s poor judgement leads to an accident, it’s important to hold them liable. As a Memphis car crash attorney, I believe it’s important to hold others accountable for their negligence. An experienced Memphis car crash attorney can help you get the compensation you deserve.

I have more than 30 years’ experience and a strong track record. Our lawyers understand the physical and the emotional toll of a car accident, and we are here for you. Contact us here or call (901) 327-2100 today.