Regardless of whether you call it Blackout Wednesday, Thanksgiving Eve, Whiskey Wednesday or Drinksgiving, the day before Thanksgiving is popular for excessive drinking. More recently, Green Wednesday has entered the nomenclature, and it refers to those who prefer marijuana to, or in addition to, alcohol on the day before Thanksgiving. The day before Thanksgiving is a popular day for partying for several reasons. First, college kids and young adults return to their hometown for the Thanksgiving holiday and are eager to socialize and catch-up with old friends. In addition, plenty of folks get off work and are ready to unwind knowing they have the next day off from work. As a result, the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration reports that the Wednesday before Thanksgiving is one of the deadliest days of the year for drunk driving. Here are some things you can do to protect yourself and others.
If you are planning on drinking or smoking marijuana or consuming gummies, etc, please do not drive. Plan in advance for a designated driver or confirm with friends that everyone will rely on a ride-sharing service such as Uber, Lyft, etc. Use the ride-sharing service to get to the party so you are not tempted to drive home later in the evening when your judgment may be impaired. Yes, it will cost more money to use a ride-sharing service to and from the party, but it is a lot cheaper than a DUI. For example, if you are convicted of a DUI, the cost can be in excess of $25,000 due to attorney fees, court fines, the cost of court-ordered DUI schools and increased insurance premiums.
Or worse yet, if you hurt or kill someone, you could be facing serious criminal charges which require expensive legal representation. In Tennessee, a DUI causing a death is a Class B Felony and carries a maximum prison term of 30 years and a $25,000 fine. If your BAC is .20% or higher, you could be facing a minimum prison term of 15 years.
And for those who do not intend to celebrate Blackout Wednedsay, you can protect yourself by driving the speed limit which will allow you more reaction time to a sudden emergency caused by another driver. Wear your seat belt and insist that all your occupants do the same. Do not drive distracted. If you see someone driving erratically, immediately report them to law enforcement.
Finally, if you are reading this and you are not sure of your auto insurance policy limits or if you are not sure whether you have purchased underinsured or uninsured motorist coverage, pick up the phone now and call your insurance agent. Evaluate whether you need more coverage especially uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, often referred to as UM/UIM coverage. Uninsured motorist and uninsured motorist coverage protect you and your family if you are involved in an accident with someone without insurance or without sufficient insurance. In Tennessee, 1 in 5 drivers has zero insurance. UM/UIM insurance is surprisingly affordable. If the at-fault driver only has the legal minimum, your compensation will be limited to $25,000 regardless of your injuries unless the other driver has sufficient personal assets to compensate you. Underinsured motorist coverage can protect you in this situation.
From the Law Offices of John Day, we hope everyone has a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving holiday. We are here if you need us.
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Brentwood: 615-742-4880
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