According to materials published by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), alcohol-related car crashes kill an American every 31 minutes and cause a non-fatal personal injury every two minutes. In 2005 alone, 39% of all car-accident related deaths involved car crashes that were alcohol-related. This means that 16,885 Americans died that year in fully preventable alcohol-related car accidents. In that same year, almost 1.4 million divers were arrested for driving under the influence. According to studies, that is less than one percent of the drivers who were impaired behind the wheel but were not caught.
Tragically, in 2005, 48 children were killed as pedestrians or as bicyclists when they were hit by impaired drivers. It is estimated that alcohol-related car accidents cost the country about $51 billion annually. In addition to the many fatalities that impaired driving causes, car accidents caused by impaired drivers cause property damage and lead to serious brain injuries, burn injuries, spinal cord injuries, and other life-altering injuries.
These statistics paint a grim picture, and many law enforcement groups as well as non-profit organizations have become involved in trying to stop these accidents. Among the tools used to stop car accidents caused by impaired drivers are the following strategies:
*Strict enforcement of current rules. Enforcement of laws concerning 0.08% BAC and legal drinking age as well as strict enforcement of traffic laws can help prevent car accidents. Also, implementing zero tolerance policies for drivers younger than 21 years old can help. Some experts have suggested lowering the BAC (legal limit for blood alcohol concentration) to 0.05% to further prevent fatalities and injuries.
*Immediate suspension of driving privileges for anyone who drives while intoxicated. Experts suggest that this can help stop drivers who routinely drive while impaired.
*Sobriety checkpoints that randomly check motorists for impairment.
*Community awareness campaigns and educational programs that teach motorists about the dangers of DUI.
* Mandatory treatment and assessment for substance abuse for motorists found to be driving under the influence.
If you or a loved one have been injured by a motorist driving under the influence, you are entitled to assistance under the law. A good Florida attorney can represent you so that you can seek the compensation you are entitled to under the law – compensation that can help you pay for medical expenses and other costs incurred by the accident. Or qualified attorneys offer a no-cost, no-obligation consultation. Call 1- 800-535-2962 (1 800 5 FLAXMAN) and we will discuss your options.