Many people will now be looking forward to having a drink or two to celebrate the festive season. But while having one drink is perfectly fine, things can soon escalate if you’re not careful. Unfortunately many people don’t know when to stop when it comes to drinking. You’ve probably seen people out and about who have clearly had way more to drink than they should have done. This can lead to all kinds of problems, including people wandering into the road and into the path of cars in some cases. Don’t drink drive This should really go without saying, but it is worth repeating every single year (and indeed throughout the year too). Unfortunately many people who are otherwise safe and responsible drivers decide to have one or two drinks at Christmas before getting behind the steering wheel. This can have devastating consequences for all concerned. The simple way to avoid the problem of drink driving is not to do it. Of course this doesn’t protect you from those who have had a drink and got behind the wheel of their car. However if you pay extra attention to what is going on around you it can help prevent an accident. You may take all these steps to stay safe, but still suffer an injury due to the actions of a drunk driver. In such cases, you may be entitled to compensation. Click here for more information about making a claim. Avoid drinking too much If you are responsible enough not to drink and drive, it doesn’t mean you can carry on drinking whatever you like and walk home or get public transport. The more alcohol you consume, the more likely you are to have a trip or fall. You may not feel it at the time but you’ll surely feel it the next day – even if you don’t remember what happened. The trick is to know your limits, and if you are going out as part of a group make sure someone agrees to be the designated driver at the start of the night. This person can then abstain from drinking altogether and ensure no one else has car keys. Avoid others who have clearly drunk too much Even if you haven’t drunk anything on a night out, you’re still at risk from others who have clearly overdone it. This holds true regardless of whether they are behind the wheel, walking home or using public transport. Keep your wits about you and steer well clear of anyone who has been drinking. While you may have a case for a no win no fee claim if someone causes you to have an accident as a result of their having drunk alcohol, ideally you don’t want to be in this situation in the first place. Avoidance is always the best policy in order to stay safe and reduce your chances of experiencing an accident or injury in this case. 

We all look forward to the festive season, but some people celebrate in very different ways to others. Even if you are responsible enough to steer clear of drinking too much (or at all if you are driving), others may not be as wise.