For families across the United States, Easter offers an opportunity for joyous reunions with friends and family, with bunny-themed celebrations and festivities for all to enjoy. However, as with many holidays, Easter brings with it an increased risk of travel-related injuries. Multiple factors can make driving more dangerous than usual, such as:
- An increased number of motorists on the road, some of whom are likely driving in new areas for the first time
- Unfamiliar weather conditions
- A sense of urgency, as drivers may need to travel great distances over a short amount of time
- A heightened chance of encountering impaired drivers while traveling
A 2021 study by AutoInsurance.org revealed that Easter is the 11th most deadly holiday in the United States in terms of fatal car crashes. Over a three-year duration, there were 1,146 fatal collisions during what is deemed the four-day “Easter holiday period.” This figure averages out to 382 lethal crashes per year. Given these surprising facts, we wanted to take a closer look at how driving under the influence and Easter are connected.
What is “Driving Under the Influence?”
Every single U.S. state and the District of Columbia have passed laws forbidding drivers from operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Some states have a single statute in place that covers both driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, while others make distinctions between the two different types of impairment. Generally speaking:
- Driving under the influence (DUI) refers to a motorist that is under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or other substances. A DUI commonly refers to a driver with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) above the legal limit for their age range. In most states, driving with a BAC above 0.08% is grounds for a DUI charge for adults of age twenty-one or older. The BAC level for a DUI charge for those below the legal drinking age varies but is commonly between 0 and 0.02%.
- Driving while intoxicated / impaired (DWI) usually indicates that a driver was under the influence of drugs. Both prescription and recreational drug use can cause a driver to receive a DWI charge.
How Does Easter Compare to Other Holidays in Terms of Fatal Accidents?
To get a better sense of how risky it is to drive on Easter or the days leading up to the holiday, we charted the number of lethal crashes during eighteen major U.S. holiday periods from 2017-2019. Our data was sourced primarily from the National Safety Council (NSC) and National Highway Safety Traffic Administration (NHTSA). Holiday crash statistics from 2020 and beyond are not yet publicly available through these databanks.
Although not as dangerous as holidays such as Memorial Day, Labor Day, or Independence Day, driving during Easter weekend does increase your risk of getting into an accident. Drunk driving, partying, and traffic spikes all contribute to the surge of deadly accidents during the Easter holiday.
What Are the DUI Laws for Each U.S. State?
Each state has its own laws and regulations regarding DUI offenses. Particularly for those that are traveling during the holiday season, it’s important to be aware of your destination’s laws regarding impaired driving. In the table below, we used a recent study created by the Rosenstein Law Group to compile each state’s stance on:
- “Zero tolerance” BAC levels: Every U.S. state holds drivers under the legal drinking age to a strict standard when it comes to drinking and driving. People under the age of 21 are forbidden from purchasing or drinking alcoholic beverages, and the corresponding DUI regulations are known as “zero-tolerance” laws. Depending on the state, a BAC of 0-0.02% may result in an underage DUI charge.
- Per se laws: A per se law establishes the BAC at which a motorist is considered legally intoxicated. Although there are exceptions, most states consider the per se value to be 0.08%.
- Whether harsher penalties are implemented for an aggravated DUI: Some states charge drivers that reach or exceed a specific BAC more harshly than those that committed a simple DUI. In most cases, the penalty for such an “aggravated DUI” is a more serious criminal charge or longer potential sentence. The “Enhanced Penalties for High BAC” column indicates the BAC threshold for an aggravated DUI (or a state’s equivalent charge), if such a policy is enforced.
| State | “Zero Tolerance” BAC Level | Alcohol Per Se Laws | Enhanced Penalties for High BAC? |
| Alabama | 0.02 | 0.08 | 0.15 |
| Alaska | 0 | 0.08 | No |
| Arizona | 0 | 0.08 | 0.15 |
| Arkansas | 0.02 | 0.08 | No |
| California | 0.02 | 0.08 | 0.15 |
| Colorado | 0.02 | 0.08 | 0.15 |
| Connecticut | 0.02 | 0.08 | No |
| Delaware | 0.02 | 0.08 | 0.15 |
| District of Columbia | 0 | 0.08 | 0.2 |
| Florida | 0.02 | 0.08 | 0.15 |
| Georgia | 0.02 | 0.08 | 0.15 |
| Hawaii | 0.02 | 0.08 | No |
| Idaho | 0.02 | 0.08 | 0.2 |
| Illinois | 0 | 0.08 | 0.16 |
| Indiana | 0.02 | 0.08 | 0.15 |
| Iowa | 0.02 | 0.08 | 0.15 |
| Kansas | 0.02 | 0.08 | 0.15 |
| Kentucky | 0.02 | 0.08 | 0.15 |
| Louisiana | 0.02 | 0.08 | 0.15 |
| Maine | 0 | 0.08 | 0.15 |
| Maryland | 0.02 | 0.08 | 0.15 |
| Massachusetts | 0.02 | 0.08 | 0.2 |
| Michigan | 0.02 | 0.08 | 0.17 |
| Minnesota | 0 | 0.08 | 0.16 |
| Mississippi | 0.02 | 0.08 | No |
| Missouri | 0.02 | 0.08 | 0.15 |
| Montana | 0.02 | 0.08 | 0.16 |
| Nebraska | 0.02 | 0.08 | 0.15 |
| Nevada | 0.02 | 0.08 | 0.18 |
| New Hampshire | 0.02 | 0.08 | 0.16 |
| New Jersey | 0.01 | 0.08 | 0.1 |
| New Mexico | 0.02 | 0.08 | 0.16 |
| New York | 0.02 | 0.08 | 0.18 |
| North Carolina | 0 | 0.08 | 0.15 |
| North Dakota | 0.02 | 0.08 | 0.18 |
| Ohio | 0.02 | 0.08 | 0.17 |
| Oklahoma | 0.02 | 0.08 | 0.15 |
| Oregon | 0 | 0.08 | 0.15 |
| Pennsylvania | 0.02 | 0.08 | 0.16 |
| Rhode Island | 0.02 | 0.08 | 0.15 |
| South Carolina | 0.02 | 0.08 | 0.16 |
| South Dakota | 0.02 | 0.08 | 0.17 |
| Tennessee | 0.02 | 0.08 | 0.2 |
| Texas | 0.02 | 0.08 | 0.15 |
| Utah | 0.02 | 0.05 | 0.16 |
| Vermont | 0.02 | 0.08 | 0.16 |
| Virginia | 0.02 | 0.08 | 0.15 |
| Washington | 0.02 | 0.08 | 0.15 |
| West Virginia | 0.02 | 0.08 | 0.15 |
| Wisconsin | 0.02 | 0.08 | 0.17 |
| Wyoming | 0.02 | 0.08 | 0.15 |
What Can You Do if You’re Hit by an Impaired Driver on Easter?
Getting into a wreck can be a nerve-wracking experience on any day, much less during the holiday season. If you or a loved one are hit by a suspected drunk or impaired driver during the Easter holiday, try to stay calm and follow these steps.
- Check yourself, your passengers, and other crash victims for obvious injuries.
- If your car is operable, get off the main roadway and to a safe location away from traffic. Turn on your emergency flashers to warn other drivers of the accident. If you cannot move the vehicle, get yourself and any passengers to a safe location, if possible.
- Call 911 to report a suspected DUI or DWI collision. Be sure to obtain a copy of the corresponding police report.
- If safely possible, take photographs of the accident scene. This can include photos of any vehicles involved, road hazards that contributed to the crash, tire marks on the ground, and injuries sustained in the collision. Take down the contact details of any witnesses.
- Visit a hospital, emergency room, or doctor to receive treatment. Even if you do not think you or your passengers suffered serious harm, it’s essential to get checked out. A crash can cause life-threatening internal injuries that may not show signs for days or even weeks.
- Speak to a local personal injury attorney that is familiar with your region’s DUI and car accident laws.