The Real Cost of Drunk Driving

The holiday season should be the most wonderful time of the year to spread cheer and warm wishes. From family gatherings to visiting high school friends at local pubs, the season brings many people together. Sadly, drinking and driving is unfortunately a decision many will make after their celebrations.

Driving under the influence can have catastrophic effects on yourself and others’ lives. Steve DeBosier and his legal team recently represented a family who lost one of their precious children due to the negligence of a drunk driver. Kristi Lirette, a young waitress living in New Orleans with her entire life ahead of her, was killed in an wreck in May of 2016.

Kristi was 22 years old when she was killed. The driver was a frequent patron of the restaurant she worked in, and he had several drinks before inviting her for a ride in his Lamborghini. Because he was inebriated, he drove down New Orlean’s busy streets at high speeds past local homes and businesses. When he hit a curb, he and Kristi crashed into the levee wall at 96 mph. Kristi died on impact. Although the wreck only took a few moments to occur, the repercussions will last forever, and Kristi’s family will never be whole.  After years of fighting for the Lirette family and taking this case to trial, they were finally heard. The real cost of drunk driving in this instance was $51,000,000.

Sadly, this isn’t the first or last time a tragedy like this will happen. Families are often torn apart during the holidays due to drunk drivers. Every year, approximately 10,000 Americans die in car wrecks caused by drunk drivers. In just Louisiana, there were 220 deaths caused by drunk drivers in 2019. Since holiday festivities are approaching, the National Safety Council predicts 375 deaths will occur over the Christmas and New Year’s holidays this year in the United States.

Here are some ways you can avoid driving drunk and potentially hurting yourself or others during these holidays:

Do not get in a car when someone else is driving while intoxicated.

The best way to ensure you get home safely is to make sure the person driving you home is sober and alert before driving.

Assign a designated driver.

When you go out with friends or family, ask someone to be the designated driver. Making the plan ahead of time will ensure you a safer drive home.

Call a friend or relative.

Although it may be embarrassing in the moment, your family will be thankful you called for help instead of trying to drive while intoxicated.

Order an Uber of Lyft

Ridesharing apps like Uber and Lyft are a great way to avoid drinking and driving. Make sure to have the applications downloaded ahead of time to ensure your payment method is linked and the app is ready to use.

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