Personal Injury Law

DUI is a serious issue - Traffic Fatalities Increase with DUI

By LaBovick Law

Driving while intoxicated or under the influence of alcohol is dangerous and can harm to innocent people. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), "A motor vehicle crash is considered to be alcohol-related if at least one driver involved in the crash is determined to have a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .01 gram per deciliter or higher. A driver involved in a motor vehicle crash is considered alcohol-impaired if he or she exhibits a BAC of .08 or greater.

DUI traffic fatalities are sad yet sobering. In 2008, there were  37,261 traffic fatalities, of which, 13,846 deaths were alcohol fatalities. This means that 37% of traffic deaths were alcohol related.  In Florida, was #3 in the nation in DUI traffic fatalities with 2,978 traffic fatalities of which, 35% or 1,041 traffic fatalities were alcohol related.

Any fatality that occurs in an alcohol-related crash is considered an alcohol-related fatality. The term 'alcohol-related' does not indicate that a crash or fatality was caused by the presence of alcohol." A driver involved in a motor vehicle crash is considered alcohol-impaired if he or she exhibits a BAC of .08 or greater.

Recently, the 70's heart throb, Partridge Family" star David Cassidy was arrested and charged with DUI after a traffic stop in Fort Pierce. According to Police Officers Cassidy drove his car onto a shoulder rumble strip on State Road 91 and then then tried to get onto a southbound entrance ramp and cut another car off.  His Blood alcohol level was .14, which is over the BAC level that is acceptable.

Cassidy told the arresting officer that he only had a glass of wine at lunch and a hydrocodone tablet.  The officer found a half bottle of bourbon in the back seat of Cassidy's Mercedes. The issue is not that Cassidy is a celebrity and should get special treatment. The issue is that DUI is dangerous and kills.  If you have had too much to drink, do not get behind the wheel.  Too many personal injury accidents and car accidents could be avoided if people just did not get behind the wheel intoxicated.

Full post as published by LaBovick Injury Law Blog on November 05, 2010 (boomark / email).