April: Alcohol Awareness Month

In South Jersey alone, there are approximately 800 bars and nightclubs, according to data from the New Jersey Department of Law and Public Safety. You can easily drive five or ten minutes down the street and come across a bar or restaurant that serves alcohol. While these establishments can be a fun place to socialize, be aware of the risks associated with alcohol consumption. In honor of Alcohol Awareness month, we call attention to the importance of safe drinking habits and other related practices.

One of the most serious risks of alcohol consumption is alcohol-related injuries and illnesses like alcohol poisoning, liver disease, and cancer. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, excessive alcohol consumption is responsible for over 95,000 deaths in the United States each year. In 2019, the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) reported 1,144 alcohol-related deaths in New Jersey, which includes deaths from alcohol-related accidents, liver disease, and other health problems caused by excessive alcohol consumption. Although these statistics may not seem that pressing, the amount of people who participate in or know people who participate in drunk driving is staggering. Alcohol-related dangers like car accidents, bar fights, and other incidents affect more people than you might think, which is why education is essential.

Drunk Driving reports that “Alcohol-related crashes in New Jersey cost the public an estimated $2.5 billion in 2000, including $1.1 billion in monetary costs and almost $1.4 billion in quality of life losses.”

As a personal injury law firm, we have seen firsthand the devastating consequences of alcohol-related accidents and the horrific impact it leaves on families. From car crashes to slip and falls, alcohol can impair judgement and coordination, leading to serious accidents and injuries.

Alcohol-related incidents are not inevitable. By staying aware of the risks associated with alcohol consumption, we can work to reduce the number of accidents and injuries caused by excessive drinking.

Here are a few tips to stay safe:

1. Drink in moderation- The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism defines moderate drinking as up to one drink per day for women and up to two drinks per day for men. If you do not follow these statistics, it is important to know your limits. When you feel you are starting to exceed those limits, cut yourself off. If you stick to these guidelines or listen to your body, you can reduce your risk of injury or illness.

2. Have a plan- If you plan on drinking, make sure you have a safe way to get home. Whether it is a designated driver or a ride-sharing service, having a plan in place can help you to stay safe and avoid accidents.

3. Watch your surroundings- Pay attention to anyone acting suspiciously around you at the bar. Alcohol impairs your judgement and coordination, making it more difficult to navigate unfamiliar or potentially dangerous surroundings. If you are at a bar or nightclub, be aware of your surroundings and stay alert to potential risks.

Alcohol-related incidents are especially prevalent during the holiday seasons, whether at Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, or any other holiday. In the past, we have tried to mitigate drunk driving accidents through our nomination program. If you were traveling on New Year’s…. Leave a comment if you would like to see us enact this program in the coming months.

Resources for NJ Residents

1. Nightcap is a product created by 16-year-old Shirah Benarde in 2019, who was inspired to take action after hearing her college friends’ horror stories of their drinks being spiked. She was determined to come up with a pragmatic solution to this problem to protect her friends, herself, and other people from ever experiencing this. She appeared on Shark Tank in 2021, striking one of the fastest deals in Shark Tank history with Lori Greiner. The Nightcap retails at about $11.99 per product.

2. Undercover Colors is an innovative line of nail polish that works by changing color when coming in contact with any date rape drug. This discreet test allows wearers to dip the top of their polished fingernail into a beverage, and the polish will change colors if the drink is spiked.

For more information, please reach out to our car accident lawyers in South Jersey today.