If you see more cops around the streets than usual and there is no local event going on, they are on the lookout for drunk drivers. Because there have been so many DUI incidents over the years around different times, they now know the best times of the days, weeks and months to put additional resources on the roads of Pennsylvania.
It is important that you are aware of these moments so you can be more cautious of when you choose to drive into town.
Time of day
According to the Pennsylvania DUI Association, over half of fatal alcohol-related crashes occur in the night between 8:00 p.m. and 4:00 a.m.
Bar customers tend to arrive after work to take a load off. Most of the jobs in the country offer the typical 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. shift, so there are not as many DUI incidents in that time period. 8 p.m. tends to be the end time for post-work or school related activities like exercising or chores.
Those who go past midnight risk combining their intoxication with sleep-deprivation, which can be attributed to the next factor.
Time of week
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s 2016 crash statistics state that nearly half of DUI crashes and incidents occur on Friday and Saturday.
This comes as no surprise. Most workers have the weekend off and want to spend the nights drinking with their friends. They do not have work the next day, so they tend to stay out later than usual.
Time of year
Both links provided above point out that the most popular DUI are common around holidays. While it is to be expected on celebrations that heavily promote drinking such as St. Patrick’s Day and New Year’s Eve, the most crashes and fatalities tend to happen on family holidays.
Thanksgiving garners the most crashes and fatalities because the festivities last more than one day. Unlike Christmas, every Thanksgiving gives most workers an extended weekend. They can drink on Wednesday night, Thanksgiving Day and the rest of the weekend if they feel like it. It is also a popular time for families to travel, resulting in the holiday’s infamous DUI track record.
This Independence Day
While the statistics point to increased danger on weekends, DUI incidents still occur throughout the week. Independence Day also allows for plenty of family gatherings, barbecues and beer no matter what day of the week it is on.
The point of knowing popular DUI times is not to prevent you from traveling during certain points of the day or year, but rather to know when to exercise caution. It is imperative to know when you might be on the same street as someone who went overboard in their celebration.
