Alcohol Risks On The Fourth Of July And Beyond

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We want people to mark the dawn of our nation’s independence in the safest way possible, and when that’s over, they can hopefully carry this responsible thinking through to the rest of the summer.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (PRWEB) June 30, 2014

Plans are no doubt being finalized for various Fourth of July celebrations in Philadelphia, where the city’s designation as the birthplace of American democracy carries an especial appeal for the holiday.

Although the vast majority of individuals will spend Independence Day and the whole summer with safety in mind, all it takes is one bad decision to lead to a life-altering tragedy.

It’s incidents like these that Levy, Baldante, Finney, Rubenstein, Cohen & Chizmar, P.C. is trying to avoid. Having served Pennsylvania for nearly 50 years, the law firm’s Philadelphia personal injury lawyers want people to understand the many dangers that lurk when summer days grow long and celebration turns to inebriation. As attorney Mark S. Levy explains:

“The period between Memorial Day and Labor Day is fraught with peril,” said Mr. Levy, “often owing to the simple fact that the allure of alcohol on a summer day is too tempting for many to pass up. We want people to mark the dawn of our nation’s independence in the safest way possible, and when that’s over, they can hopefully carry this responsible thinking through to the rest of the summer.”

On June 23, the Philadelphia affiliate of CBS came out with an article entitled “Drunk Driving, and Boating, Targeted by Phila. Area Law Enforcement.” That report briefly touched on local police efforts to curb the dangerous act of drunk driving in all its forms. For its part, Levy Baldante will explain the situations to avoid and the ways to stay safe on Independence Day and beyond:

•Think When You Drink- No matter where or when you drink, always have a designated driver available to bring you home. If none is available, hail a cab.

•Alright In The Darkness- Injuries occur on the Fourth of July every year because inebriated people attempt to light fireworks in a dangerous manner. If the responsibility of setting off any kind of firework falls to you, then you should not drink, and if you’ve already knocked back a few, pass lighting duties to another responsible adult.

•A Drive To Succeed- Summer nights are hazardous enough with fireworks going off, pedestrians out for walks, and children riding their bikes around neighborhoods at late hours. Do not compromise safety further by drinking and driving. Drivers should have no alcohol whatsoever in their system, remembering that being buzzed is simply a polite way of saying you’re already too drunk.

•Watch Your Step- A pedestrian, when drunk, faces serious bodily harm should their stumbling take them off the sidewalk and into the road. Travel in a group to maintain safety, and always obey crosswalk icons and traffic signals if crossing the street. Don’t get so drunk that even walking to a cab becomes a chore.

•Danger On Two Wheels- The summer brings a sharp increase in the number of motorcyclists on the road at any given time. Drinking and driving on two wheels can be even more hazardous than doing the same on four wheels, given the decreased visibility of the standard motorcycle. Never ride while drunk, and never transport a passenger who is drunk even if the motorcyclist is sober; the passenger’s excessive leaning and inappropriate actions can prompt a collision.

•Water Wise- Numerous individuals may get away for a long weekend at a lake or beach. Alcohol intake must be monitored during such sojourns. A drunk person in the water is a drowning waiting to happen, while piloting a boat while drunk can be just as dangerous as driving a car. Stay dry when plans involve getting wet.

•Take Action On Distraction- Drinking and texting don’t mix. While your mind might jump to the illegible, embarrassing texts sent to ex boyfriends and girlfriends in a drunken stupor, the bigger danger lies in the detrimental impact the combination of texting and drinking can have on motor function. Don’t let this turn into a personal injury.

The law firm of Levy, Baldante, Finney, Rubenstein, Cohen & Chizmar, P.C. has been fighting for the rights of injured parties since its founding in the 1960s. Recognized by such organizations as Super Lawyers, the American Association for Justice, and the Trial Lawyers Associations of both Pennsylvania and New Jersey, Levy Baldante is dedicated to assisting persons injured by medical malpractice, automobile accidents, defective products, premises liability, and other instances of personal injury. Our website provides a host of personal injury resources to interested persons.

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