Celebrating New Year’s Eve Safely in Phoenix

Today marks the end of 2015 and all that it brought to those who call Phoenix home. Whether it was a banner year for you or one you’d rather forget, this year is ending no matter what. And with the closing of the year comes a celebration for many as they look forward to the promise of 2016.

Tonight, many will gather with friends and family members to partake in traditional New Year’s Eve events. Many of the cities in and around Maricopa County also will have public festivities for those wishing to take part and some local establishments are advertising a family-friendly way to celebrate. Regardless of your plans, know that there are certain risks for injuries associated with a typical New Year’s Eve and that your conduct tonight may go a long way toward determining whether you and your family remain safe or whether you may become an accident victim.

If you will be celebrating New Year’s Eve in Phoenix tonight, keep the following safety tips in mind:

• Never Drink and Drive: A recent study by Yahoo! revealed that New Year’s Eve is the most common day for adults to drink alcohol across the country. If you will be one of the millions who will consume alcohol tonight, do not drink and drive. It is against the law in Arizona to operate a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and those who drive drunk are likely to be arrested. Instead, consider using a designated driver or opting to take a taxi cab if you will be drinking. If you are celebrating in the Phoenix area, the light rail or a city bus may be a good option for transportation. In fact, beginning at 7:00 p.m. tonight, Valley Metro will be offering free rides to encourage celebrants to use public transit instead of drinking and driving.
• Exercise Caution while Using Fireworks: For some, nothing rings in the New Year quite like fireworks and authorities in the Valley are preparing for many backyard displays as a result. If you will be using fireworks, make sure they are legal under Arizona law and that you are of an appropriate, legal age to purchase them. The specific types of fireworks and their use are also regulated as are the days in which they can be used. Failing to abide by the laws may be a crime and may lead to legal punishment on the part of those lighting the fireworks.
• Watch for Pedestrians: New Year’s Eve is a time where a lot of people will be walking in and around Phoenix. Some of them may be unfamiliar with the city’s streets, others may be excited by the holiday, and yet others may be under the influence of alcohol. Regardless, these pedestrians are liable to cross the streets quickly and without warning. Some may even walk into the path of oncoming traffic or cross outside of a designated crosswalk. If you will be driving, make sure you understand that pedestrians will be prevalent and take any steps necessary to avoid being the cause of a pedestrian accident.
• Plan Ahead: A surprisingly large number of injuries happen when plans or ideas change at the last minute. To avoid this, plan out your night ahead of time as much as possible. Know how you will be getting from one location to another and whether you need help. Avoid any unexpected trips or unplanned activities to keep yourself as safe as possible.

The legal team at Abels & Annes, P.C. wishes you a Happy New Year. We hope your celebrations are fun and accident-free, but know that if tragedy strikes, we will be standing by 24/7 to take your call and to help you.

We offer a no-cost, no-obligation case consultation to all injury victims who call us toll free at (855) PHX-LAWYER or locally at (602) 819-5191 and we keep everything discussed during the consultation confidential. Further, if we represent you in your case, we will fight for the best possible outcome for you and we will never charge you a fee unless we successfully make a recovery on your behalf.

Abels & Annes, P.C. has been helping accident victims in Phoenix for years and if you are hurt, we want to help you as well. Call us today to learn about your legal options for relief.

Prior Blog Entry:

College Bowl Games Coming to Phoenix, Phoenix Injury Lawyer Blog, published December 29, 2015.