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Originally, Memorial Day was called Decoration Day. It was a day of decorating the graves of those who died in service to our country during the Civil War, and it honored both Union and Confederate soldiers. The holiday was expanded after World War I to honor those who died in all wars. Today, we honor over 1 million men and women who have died in military service.

As Americans, we honor our fallen heroes by attending parades, wreath-laying ceremonies, and long weekend get-togethers with friends and family.

The National Safety Council (NSC) says that the Memorial Day holiday is always a 3.25-day weekend consisting of Friday evening, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. NSC estimates that 380 people may die on our nation’s roads over the 2019 Memorial Day weekend because many celebrations involve alcohol consumption and driving. 

How to prevent alcohol-impaired vehicle accidents?

The Insurance Information Institute (III) reminds hosts to be responsible when planning their get-togethers.

• Hire a professional bartender. Bartenders are trained to recognize the signs of intoxication and are better able to limit partygoers.
• Encourage guests to pick a designated driver who will refrain from drinking alcoholic beverages so that he or she can drive other guests home. 
• Limit your own alcohol intakeas a responsible host/hostess, so that you will be better able to judge your guests’ sobriety. 
• Offer non-alcoholic beverages and always serve food. Eating and drinking plenty of water, or other non-alcoholic beverages, can help counter the effects of alcohol. 
• Do not pressure guests to drinkor rush to refill their glasses when empty. And never serve alcohol to guests who are visibly intoxicated. 
• Stop serving liquor toward the end of the evening. Switch to coffee, tea and soft drinks. 
• If guests drink too much or seem too tired to drive home, call a cab. Arrange a ride with a sober guest or have them sleep at your home. 
• Encourage all your guests to wear seatbelts as they drive home. Studies show that seatbelts save lives.

Minors may also be attending Memorial Day picnics and parties. Florida considers allowing minors to use or possess alcohol or drugs a criminal offense under Statute 856.015 – Open House Parties:

A person having control of any residence may not allow an open house party to take place at the residence if any alcoholic beverage or drug is possessed or consumed at the residence by any minor where the person knows that an alcoholic beverage or drug is in the possession of or being consumed by a minor at the residence and where the person fails to take reasonable steps to prevent the possession or consumption of the alcoholic beverage or drug.

“We at Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. wish everyone a safe Memorial Day weekend and encourage party hosts to resolve to be responsible hosts. Should you or a loved one be injured in an accident, we are available to assist you. Even over the holiday weekend, we are available 24/7. There are no costs or attorney fees unless we make a monetary recovery for you,” said Fort Myers DUI Accident Attorney Randall Spivey.

Hurt By Drunk Driver Attorney, Randall L. Spivey is a Board Certified Trial Attorney – the highest recognition for competence bestowed by the Florida Bar and a distinction earned by just one (1%) percent of Florida attorneys.  He has handled over 2,000 personal injury and wrongful death cases throughout Florida.  For a free and confidential consultation to discuss your legal rights, contact the Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A., in Lee County at 239.337.7483 or toll free at 1.888.477.4839,or by email to Randall@SpiveyLaw.com.  Visit SpiveyLaw.com for more information.  You can contact Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A.in Charlotte County at 941.764.7748 and in Collier County 239.793.7748.