Gifts wrapped, Christmas bellflowers on the table and a calendar full of festive fun. All of this means it’s officially Christmas – a chance to kick back and relax, enjoy the sunshine with friends and family, and indulge in some delicious food and drinks. Between the Carols by Candlelight, cocktails and Christmas parties, you’ll probably end up doing your fair share of driving this December.
As you head across the city – maybe even the country – to catch up with friends and family, remember the greatest gift you can give this holiday is upholding road safety.
So, if you’re tempted by an extra glass of sangria or offered another bottle of beer at your next event, keep drink-driving laws in mind!
Short of ending up on Father Christmas’ naughty list, drunk driving puts you and others at risk – and December is when most accidents happen, according to Government data.
Now, we certainly don’t want to be Christmas Scrooges, but we can’t emphasize enough how important it is that your Christmas is truly a healthy, happy and safe one.
With that in mind, here are four festive safety tips for safely driving home for Christmas.
Keep the five driving rules in mind
Drink driving, speeding, failing to wear a seatbelt, tiredness and driving after taking drugs are the five most prominent causes of road accidents in Australia.
Now, we know this is a pretty sobering thing to think about amidst the season of festive cheer, but you must remember that your friends and family aren’t invincible.
A road traffic accident can happen to anyone, and if you’re guilty of any of the above, one is more likely to happen to you.
The good news is that knowledge really is power when it comes to road safety. By avoiding the above, you’ll be much safer on the road.
Learn your driving limits and the law
Research shows that 43% of Australians don’t know how many drinks they can have while staying under the legal blood alcohol limit. According to law, your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) must be below 0.05% to get behind the wheel.
Here’s where things get a little tricky. Your BAC isn’t dictated by how many drinks you have. The measurement varies depending on factors like height, weight and how much you’ve eaten.
Because your BAC is so variable, the best thing you can do is always err on the side of caution. If you want to enjoy a few drinks with mates or family, think about alternate ways to get home, which leads us nicely to our next point…
Plan ahead
Uber, DiDi and taxis are your very own Santa’s sleigh this Christmas, enabling you to have plenty of festive fun while safely getting to and from home.
We know that Christmas is expensive, and booking taxis is an extra cost. Still, it’s vital to remember human safety is priceless.
Look out for your friends and family
Do the phrases “I’ve only had a couple” and “it’s just down the road” sound familiar? Many of us have been in the awkward position of seeing someone attempt to get behind the wheel after one too many.
While these situations can be uncomfortable to navigate, you have a responsibility to prevent drunk driving. Taking your friend or relative’s keys and calling them a cab is one of the kindest, most sensible things you can do.
Merry Christmas and a healthy, happy new year!
We wish you a Merry Christmas from everyone at Accident Claims Lawyers. Please take care of yourselves and others, so you can enter the New Year healthy and happy.
If you’ve been injured in a motor vehicle accident that wasn’t your fault, we can help. Our expert team will listen to your experience and advise you on your case.
Contact us today for a free consultation.
