New Year's Eve may be one of the most festive holidays of the year, but it can also be one of the most dangerous if people don't take proper precautions on the roads. The countdown to midnight was found to be the worst night for driving after drinking, according to a study by Liberty Mutual Insurance.
Although about half of all young drivers consider New Year's Eve to be a dangerous night on the roads, approximately one in ten admitted to driving under the influence during the holiday. That makes it the most common night of the year for teens and other drivers to get behind the wheel after engaging in activities like drinking.
"There are approximately 3,000 teenage driving-related deaths a year, a third of which involve alcohol," said Dave Melton, a driving safety expert with Liberty Mutual Insurance. "Parents have to play an active role in preventing underage drinking. Talk to your kids before New Year's celebrating begins and make sure they understand the importance of making smart, and possibly life-saving, decisions."
USA Today reports that teens are less likely to drive if parents lay down concrete rules, which could help prevent crashes, as well as the auto repair and injuries that may come about as a result of accidents.