New Year’s Eve Is One of the Most Dangerous Days for DUI Crashes

New Year’s Eve witnesses more than its fair share of Los Angeles DUI arrests.new-years-2015-dui-los-angeles

Between 2002 and 2008, at least 140 people were killed in DUI crashes on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. In fact, 42% of traffic-related deaths during New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day are consistently related to DUIs. This statistic includes intoxicated pedestrians who inadvertently walk in front of cars.

Russ Rader of the Institute for Highway Safety cited New Year’s as “the worst day for impaired drivers” in a recent article. In fact, half of fatal New Year’s crashes involve a driver who is DUI. Statistics have only increased since this article was written in 2011, with one person killed every half hour due to DUI and one person injured every minute. These statistics also tend to skyrocket after midnight on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, when people are likely traveling home from celebrations.

In recent years, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) found that, out of the 300,000 people who receive DUI charges every day including New Year’s, 4,000 or fewer wind up arrested. MADD also reports that over half of high school sophomores admit to drinking alcohol. Thus, parents should be particularly vigilant about their teens’ consumption during the holiday season.

To avoid DUI fatalities and harsh sentencing, people should limit their alcohol consumption over the holidays. A good rule might be one drink per party, or perhaps two if glasses are less than standard size. Sober drivers should always be designated before parties, and everyone should have the number of a cab company (or Uber app) saved in his or her cell phone.

Teenagers should not drink at all during the holiday season or otherwise. If a teen suspects that party drinks have been spiked, he or she should seek help from an adult chaperone. Teens should never leave their drinks unattended. They should also educate themselves on the signs and symptoms of alcohol poisoning and call 911 if they suspect poisoning has occurred.

What should you do if you or someone you love faces a serious DUI count? Will you go to jail? Will you lose your license? Call Los Angeles DUI defense lawyer Michael Kraut immediately to understand your options and craft a strategic response.


If you’ve been arrested for driving under the influence in Los Angeles, contact former-prosecutor Michael Kraut for assistance at (323) 464-6453 or online. Our team is located at 6255 Sunset Boulevard, Suite 1520, Los Angeles, California 90028.

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