Recent New Orleans news has shown the impacts of drunk driving with the death of a 77-year-old man traveling eastbound on US State Highway 90. The man lost his life as a result of Katelynn Marie Scott, who was allegedly driving impaired against the flow of traffic. The incident occurred in the early hours of the morning, around 3 AM. In another similar case, a 9-year-old girl was killed after being struck by a drunk driver.
These stories show the difficulties the New Orleans community has had with impaired driving. With such difficulties comes a need for increased individual and communal awareness when it comes to keeping safe on holidays.
Steering Clear of Accidents with Impaired Drivers
Due to the prevalence of drunk driving in the city, many families are preparing to keep safe. This is a necessary measure as impaired drivers on the road are almost an assured occurrence, meaning some amount of preparation on behalf of the law-abiding family is necessary to ensure a situation such as that of Joseph Sias or Abigail Douglas does not arise.
Make Sure Everyone is Buckled in at All Times
Although it may be obvious, it is imperative that everyone stay buckled in at all times in the car. In the year 2017, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that 14,955 lives were saved by seat belts, whereas 2,549 additional lives could have been saved by seat belts in the same year. This is a good reminder for New Orleans residents with kids who may be resistant to keeping their seatbelts on, as seatbelts are known to save countless lives every year.
Avoid Driving too Late at Night
Sias was an example of an incident in which an innocent individual lost their life due to an impaired driver late at night. As there is a higher frequency of impaired drivers on holidays, this effect is compounded on the night of a holiday. According to the NHTSA, 68% of roadway fatalities involving impaired driving occur at night. As people leave parties, barbecues, and get-togethers later and later, there is a higher chance that they will hop in the car to get home in an impaired state.
It should also be noted that those attending Labor Day get-togethers that are close to roadways or heavily populated areas should avoid going near the street, using the sidewalk, or crossing the street. This may include strip malls, food stands, street parties, and more. Staying away from areas that have a high potential for drunk drivers while on foot, especially at night, may save someone’s life. Pedestrians are much more vulnerable to severe injuries in the event a collision with a vehicle occurs.
Keep a Lookout for Warning Signs of Impaired Drivers While on the Road
There are a number of indications that a car on the road might give someone letting them know that they are under the influence. Serving over the lines or between lanes, drastic or unexplainable changes in speed, driving the wrong way on the roadway, and failure to react to obstructions in the road are all examples of warning signs indicating the presence of a drunk driver. Even certain actions that may usually be perceived to be responsible, such as hazard indications, should be put under extra scrutiny to affirm suspicions.
Experts recommend that people crossing paths with motor vehicles showing these warning signs pull over to the side of the road, allow them to pass, and contact authorities. Make, model, color, and the license plate number of the car are all important to note and provide to 9-1-1.
Try to Maintain a Reasonable Distance
Some good samaritans try to help out people traveling on the road by flagging down or attempting to stop impaired drivers. The thought process is that this could save their life or even that of others who may cross paths with the drunk driver. Yet, in reality, this puts people at risk. Many of those who are impaired are unable to calculate these risks and may end up hitting a pedestrian such as the one trying to flag them down. In a similar sense, one should never try to pass an impaired driver as they may react erratically and attempt to ram the passing vehicle.
Avoid Drunk or Distracted Driving
Many people choose to partake in drinking on holidays. Yet this must be done responsibly and with forethought. It is always recommended to identify a designated driver before drinking, double-check that the driver is not intoxicated, and ensure that they are avoiding distracting activities such as using their phone. Partaking in these activities multiplies the chances of getting in a crash with another impaired driver.
Organize With Your Family and Friends
One of the most impactful ways to keep drunk drivers off of New Orleans’ roadways is to keep a watchful eye out for oneself. One commonly used example of doing so is verbally warning those who are attending the same cookouts, barbecues, and parties not to hop in the driver’s seat if they are inebriated. Family and friends have significant impacts on the decisions of those they are familiar with.
Another example of effective community organization is creating watchgroups to keep an eye out for potential threats. Some neighborhoods have found it worthwhile to create Facebook groups or communicate via apps such as Nextdoor, where they can share sightings of erratic drivers or unsupervised kids with those they live near.
The Impact of Labor Day on Drunk Driving
Labor Day is one of the most dangerous holidays of all for drunk and impaired driving. A free day to spend with friends and family. Although good fundamentally, this opens the door for various possibilities that force families to keep a watchful eye
New Orleans has a robust partying and drinking culture. Those from the Bayou State and beyond flock together to New Orleans to enjoy the festivities that the city provides. With such an uptick in alcohol use and a larger presence of motor vehicles, it is not surprising that the city sees a higher amount of impaired drivers on Labor Day and the following morning.
These stories show the difficulties the New Orleans community has had with impaired driving. With such difficulties comes a need for increased individual and communal awareness when it comes to keeping safe on holidays.
Steering Clear of Accidents with Impaired Drivers
Due to the prevalence of drunk driving in the city, many families are preparing to keep safe. This is a necessary measure as impaired drivers on the road are almost an assured occurrence, meaning some amount of preparation on behalf of the law-abiding family is necessary to ensure a situation such as that of Joseph Sias or Abigail Douglas does not arise.
Make Sure Everyone is Buckled in at All Times
Although it may be obvious, it is imperative that everyone stay buckled in at all times in the car. In the year 2017, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that 14,955 lives were saved by seat belts, whereas 2,549 additional lives could have been saved by seat belts in the same year. This is a good reminder for New Orleans residents with kids who may be resistant to keeping their seatbelts on, as seatbelts are known to save countless lives every year.
Avoid Driving too Late at Night
Sias was an example of an incident in which an innocent individual lost their life due to an impaired driver late at night. As there is a higher frequency of impaired drivers on holidays, this effect is compounded on the night of a holiday. According to the NHTSA, 68% of roadway fatalities involving impaired driving occur at night. As people leave parties, barbecues, and get-togethers later and later, there is a higher chance that they will hop in the car to get home in an impaired state.
It should also be noted that those attending Labor Day get-togethers that are close to roadways or heavily populated areas should avoid going near the street, using the sidewalk, or crossing the street. This may include strip malls, food stands, street parties, and more. Staying away from areas that have a high potential for drunk drivers while on foot, especially at night, may save someone’s life. Pedestrians are much more vulnerable to severe injuries in the event a collision with a vehicle occurs.
Keep a Lookout for Warning Signs of Impaired Drivers While on the Road
There are a number of indications that a car on the road might give someone letting them know that they are under the influence. Serving over the lines or between lanes, drastic or unexplainable changes in speed, driving the wrong way on the roadway, and failure to react to obstructions in the road are all examples of warning signs indicating the presence of a drunk driver. Even certain actions that may usually be perceived to be responsible, such as hazard indications, should be put under extra scrutiny to affirm suspicions.
Experts recommend that people crossing paths with motor vehicles showing these warning signs pull over to the side of the road, allow them to pass, and contact authorities. Make, model, color, and the license plate number of the car are all important to note and provide to 9-1-1.
Try to Maintain a Reasonable Distance
Some good samaritans try to help out people traveling on the road by flagging down or attempting to stop impaired drivers. The thought process is that this could save their life or even that of others who may cross paths with the drunk driver. Yet, in reality, this puts people at risk. Many of those who are impaired are unable to calculate these risks and may end up hitting a pedestrian such as the one trying to flag them down. In a similar sense, one should never try to pass an impaired driver as they may react erratically and attempt to ram the passing vehicle.
Avoid Drunk or Distracted Driving
Many people choose to partake in drinking on holidays. Yet this must be done responsibly and with forethought. It is always recommended to identify a designated driver before drinking, double-check that the driver is not intoxicated, and ensure that they are avoiding distracting activities such as using their phone. Partaking in these activities multiplies the chances of getting in a crash with another impaired driver.
Organize With Your Family and Friends
One of the most impactful ways to keep drunk drivers off of New Orleans’ roadways is to keep a watchful eye out for oneself. One commonly used example of doing so is verbally warning those who are attending the same cookouts, barbecues, and parties not to hop in the driver’s seat if they are inebriated. Family and friends have significant impacts on the decisions of those they are familiar with.
Another example of effective community organization is creating watchgroups to keep an eye out for potential threats. Some neighborhoods have found it worthwhile to create Facebook groups or communicate via apps such as Nextdoor, where they can share sightings of erratic drivers or unsupervised kids with those they live near.
The Impact of Labor Day on Drunk Driving
Labor Day is one of the most dangerous holidays of all for drunk and impaired driving. A free day to spend with friends and family. Although good fundamentally, this opens the door for various possibilities that force families to keep a watchful eye.
New Orleans has a robust partying and drinking culture. Those from the Bayou State and beyond flock together to New Orleans to enjoy the festivities that the city provides. With such an uptick in alcohol use and a larger presence of motor vehicles, it is not surprising that the city sees a higher amount of impaired drivers on Labor Day and the following morning.
