The Dangers of Drunk Driving
As reported recently by the Miami Herald, a University of Florida student has been accused of drunk driving in a weekday evening crash that killed his girlfriend this past January. The 19-year-old Weston resident was driving at least 75 mph on a road where the speed limit is only 35 mph when he lost control of his Lexus sports car and crashed it into a guardrail and a utility pole. Sadly, his girlfriend was just 20 years old when she was fatally injured in the accident. Authorities found an open container of alcohol in the car and the driver acknowledged he had been drinking. Testing afterward revealed the driver’s blood-alcohol level was 0.12 percent, well above the state limit of 0.08 percent and he also tested positive for marijuana.
How Dangerous is Drunk Driving?
Sadly, the incident outlined above highlights the very real, very dangerous problem that exists with intoxicated drivers. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have indicated that someone dies in this country every 50 minutes in car crashes attributable to alcohol. This grim statistic equates to more than 10,000 fatalities in 2016 which also accounted for over a quarter of all traffic-related deaths in the United States that year.
And while you may think that the measures in place that criminalize this behavior act as a deterrent, another intimidating fact is that while more than 1 million drivers were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or narcotics that year, this significant number represents only one percent of the 111 million self-reported episodes of alcohol-impaired driving among American adults.
How Can Drunk Driving be Avoided?
Unfortunately, understanding the dangers of drunk driving is just the first step towards ending these tragic accidents. It is also imperative that anyone who will be out drinking plans a way home in advance that does not involve getting behind the wheel. We encourage you to use one of the following driving alternatives for making it home safely such as:
- Designating a sober driver in advance
- Using public transportation
- Calling a ride through a ride share company like Uber or Lyft
Thankfully, undertaking any of these simple effective measures can help prevent injuries and deaths from alcohol-impaired driving. Above all, don’t drink and drive.
Have You or a Loved One Been Injured Because of a Drunk Driver?
Dealing with the implications caused by an unexpected collision with a drunk driver likely means you are dealing with significant medical expenses, property damage to your car, and lost wages. The most tragic of these accidents can even mean other losses like the financial stress associated with a wrongful death. As the Miami personal injury attorneys at Payer & Associates, we have the skills and experience to ensure that your claim is in the best possible position. We will aggressively fight for compensation for your injuries while providing you with the guidance and answered questions that will settle your mind during this stressful time. Contact us today to begin discussing your situation and planning how to secure the compensation you deserve.
Resource:
miamiherald.com/news/local/community/broward/article242411356.html
