The holidays are supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year, but for those traveling, they can also be very dangerous. The rise of DUIs during the holidays is becoming a significant problem in many American cities. According to a survey by Harris Interactive, 50 percent of families report alcohol involvement in their families’ holiday celebrations. With such pervasive alcohol use, the risk of DUIs or road accidents drastically increases. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows 58 percent of highway deaths during New Year’s are related to alcohol, compared to 28 percent for the rest of the year. That’s why we want to provide two ways you can avoid drunk driving this holiday season. Companies like Lyft and Uber require all of their drivers to be sober while operating their motor vehicles. With increased hiring scrutiny and more preventative measures, these services are safer than ever. Most rides during the holiday season will range from $15–$25 but can be more depending on surge fares and distance. Regardless, the fare price does not compare to the cost of a DUI, and we’re not referring to just money. The Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety states that in 2016, 24 percent of fatal crashes were caused by impaired driving. TRY THESE APPS USE A RIDE-SHARING SERVICE 2 WAYS TO AVOID A DUI THIS HOLIDAY SEASON
THE HISTORY OF THE MAGI WISE MEN OR SORCERERS? The story of the three wise men visiting Jesus is a focal point in the Judeo-Christian telling of the birth of the Christ. Their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh demonstrate reverence for the child through symbolism: Gold symbolized kingship; frankincense was commonly burned in temples and represented the spiritual stature that Jesus would hold; and myrrh was used in preparing bodies for burial, foreshadowing his eventual crucifixion. While the Magi’s role in the birth of Jesus is well-known, not much is understood about the men themselves and their connection to the baby in the manger. Historically known as Magi, the three “wise men” are known for their study of the stars. The Magi were some of the earliest astrologers. Until the 17th century, astrology and astronomy weren’t separate fields of study. Astrology included both the study of how the stars and planets affect human life and the position and motion of the cosmic bodies. In the Persian Empire, Magi were known as astrologer-priests, delineating the fate of men they saw written in the stars. But while they are known for interpreting the significance of planetary movements for human life, many historians suggest there could have been more to their jobs than astrology. “Magi” comes from the Greek word “magos,” which means magic. Early interpretations of magos included alchemy and sorcery along with astronomy. Speculations swirl among many biblical scholars about the true nature of the Magi, as some tellings portray them as illusionists or fortune-tellers. In a cultural context, the Magi were revered across the Middle East. Along with their knowledge, they had stature and wealth that allowed them to bestow gifts upon those they deemed important. The act of giving presents to a child wasn’t a regular practice for the Magi, and thus the event was significant for the time. While only three Magi are portrayed in the familiar nativity story, the real event would have included many servants. As a matter of fact, the Bible never mentions the number of Magi who visited Jesus, leaving interpretations open as to how many Magi traveled to Bethlehem. In the early seventh century, the Magi were pushed to the outer rims of Africa and India due to the rising popularity of Islam. Since someone could only be considered Magi by birth, it is widely accepted that the line of succession eventually ended, and the Magi faded into history.
DRIVE SOBER APP
That’s right — there’s an app for that. Georgia offers this free mobile app that will help you estimate your blood alcohol content (BAC). The legal limit is 0.08, so if the app estimates around or above that, it will advise you not to drive. While the app is not meant to be 100 percent accurate, it does provide feedback that wouldn’t be available otherwise. The more informed you are, the better you can make decisions. That’s why we
recommend giving this app a try.
If you’ve been harmed in a drunk driving accident, give us a call today. Our team of attorneys provides passionate representation for those injured by a drunk driver.
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