2014 is only a few days away and it is time to say goodbye to 2013. Many Knoxville and Maryville residents will mark the event by watching Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest. However, the more social among us may want to ring in the new year with other people. There is no shortage of fun and exciting things for both families and adults do in Knoxville. Our car accident attorneys wish everyone a safe and wonderful new year.
According to an AP-Times Square New Year’s Eve Poll, 54 percent of us will be celebrating at home, while 1 in 5 will be at someone else’s house, and 8 percent will go to a bar or organized event.
For a small taste of things to do and see for your New Year’s celebration in Knoxville:
- Couples who wish to dress up and dine on a 1920’s themed dinner prepared by local favorite, Holly Hambright, can attend the New Year’s dinner at the Candoro Arts & Heritage Center.
- Catering to the aquatically adventurous, the Volunteer Princess offers a fabulous cruise down the Tennessee River while enjoying a full bar and live music.
- For families with children, they can celebrate at noon on the 31st at the East Tennessee Discovery Center. There will be a ball drop with confetti. Children can enjoy the play spaces including the newly unveiled Imagination Playground.
- Want to enjoy bringing in the new year with a soulful local band, see the Dirty Guv’nahs play at the Tennsseee Theatre.
- For the healthy, you can do a New Years 5k run on January 1.
Whatever your plans, start 2014 off the right way by planning a safe celebration. For many, going out on New Year’s Eve and drinking is a tradition. However, each year, hundreds of people are the victims of needless deaths that could have been avoided if someone would have made the decision to not drink and drive. Recently, the Maryville Dailytimes reported a rise in driving fatalities in Blount County due to impaired drivers.
According to a study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, half the fatal crashes on New Year’s Day involve a driver who was legally considered drunk. Mothers Against Drunk Driving (“MADD”), estimates that the number of drunken driving deaths across the country increased by five percent in 2012.
Because of the known alcohol related fatalities during New Year’s Eve, crackdown by law enforcement officers has become expected. A drunk driving conviction can be financially costly. The Tennessee authorities have partnered with MADD and will be wearing a red ribbon to raise awareness about drunk driving.
Wherever you plan to celebrate, we want to make sure you get home safely. The following tips may help:
- Stay Sober: Having fun on New Year’s Eve does not mean you have to get drunk. You can still have fun and stay sober. If you are the designated driver, use it to your advantage and get free virgin drinks.
- Select a Designated Driver: If you plan to get drunk, have a designated driver. And, keep your designated driver happy with the free virgin drinks.
- Stay All Night: Look for venues that allow you to stay overnight or sleep over. If you are throwing a party, providing overnight sleeping for guests can help reduce the chances of drunk driving.
- Stay within Walking Distance: Mapping out your travel ahead of time, keeping your home or public transportation within walking distance, will ease your concerns while you celebrate.
- Bring Phone Numbers: Put the number of a local cab company or AAA in your phone ahead of time. AAA will be providing a drunk driving service to Knoxville residents.
- Finally: If you see someone driving erratically and suspect that they are driving drunk, do not hesitate to notify authorities. You may be saving a life.
New Year’s Eve is a celebration of new beginnings. Do not let it be a reminder of unintended endings. Drunk driving affects family and friends, jobs, and the community. If you have been the victim of a driving accident, it is important to have a competent attorney that protects your rights so that your injuries will be compensated.
If you have been the victim of a personal injury, contact Hartsoe Law Firm, P.C. at (865) 524-5657.
Additional Resources:
4th of July Crash Deaths, July 3, 2004, Insurance Institute of Highway Safety
Traffic Safety Facts 2013, Nov. 2013, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
More Blog Entries:
Supreme Court of Tennessee Affirms Non-Economic Damages for Child’s Car Accident Injuries — Meals v. Ford Motor Co., Nov 27, 2013, Knoxville Injury Lawyer Blog
Drunk Driving a Leading Cause of Car Accidents in Knoxville, Maryville, Mar 12, 2011, Knoxville Injury Lawyer Blog