Labor Day weekend is a chance to enjoy one more long summer weekend in Colorado. Whether your plans include a barbecue, camping trip, concert, day on the water or simply getting together with friends and family, here are some driving tips to make sure getting home safely is part of the plan.
Labor Day also marks the end of what Colorado transportation officials call the “100 Deadliest Days of Summer”—the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day that historically sees an increase in fatal crashes.
One of the most important things we can all do to make Colorado roads safer this holiday weekend is simple: don’t drive impaired.
Impaired Driving Isn’t Just About Alcohol
When people hear “impaired driving,” they often immediately think about drinking and driving.
Alcohol is certainly a concern, but it isn’t the only substance that can make someone unsafe behind the wheel.
Cannabis, certain medications and other drugs can also affect your ability to safely operate a vehicle. Combining substances can make impairment even worse.
If something affects your judgment, coordination, reaction time or ability to focus, don’t get behind the wheel.
Make the Plan Before the Celebration Starts
The easiest time to figure out how you’re getting home is before you’ve had anything to drink or consumed another impairing substance.
Designate a sober driver, arrange a rideshare, stay overnight or make another plan that doesn’t require an impaired person to drive.
If you’re hosting a Labor Day gathering, you can help, too. Make nonalcoholic options available and encourage guests to arrange safe transportation if they’ve been drinking or using another impairing substance.
A little planning before the celebration can prevent a decision that changes someone’s life.
Keep an Eye Out for Other Drivers
Even if you’ve made responsible choices, other people on the road may not have.
Give other vehicles plenty of space, avoid distractions and stay alert for drivers behaving unpredictably. If someone appears to be driving dangerously, don’t try to confront them or follow them closely.
Your priority should be keeping yourself and your passengers out of harm’s way.
Holiday weekends can also mean heavier traffic, longer drives and more people traveling unfamiliar roads. Give yourself extra time so you don’t feel pressured to speed or make risky decisions.
If You Drink or Use Cannabis, Don’t Drive
Colorado has legalized recreational cannabis, but that does not make driving while impaired legal or safe.
Alcohol and cannabis affect driving differently, but both can interfere with the skills you need behind the wheel. Using them together can increase impairment even further.
If you’ve been consuming something that could impair you, the safest decision is to find another way home.
Enjoy Labor Day and Get Home Safely
Most impaired-driving crashes are preventable.
Before heading out this Labor Day weekend, know how you’re getting home. Watch out for friends and family. Stay alert behind the wheel. And remember that your decisions affect everyone else sharing the road.
At LS Injury Law, we see the consequences that serious crashes can have on individuals and families. However you choose to celebrate the end of summer, make safety part of the plan.
If you or someone you love is injured because of an impaired driver, LS Injury Law is here to help you understand your options.