It’s no secret that Dallas drunk driving accidents occur way too frequently. The state has enough difficulty trying to keep motorists safe on the roadways without adding alcohol to the mix.
The risk remains a primary concern of Dallas personal injury attorneys and accident lawyers throughout the state.
The AAA Foundation has reported that 1 in 10 drivers admit to having driven drunk in the last 12 months. That’s a pretty alarming statistic considering that 87% of drivers view drinking and driving as a serious and intolerable threat to public safety.
It is common knowledge that driving under the influence happens throughout the year, not just on certain holidays. Notable alcohol and driving facts in the AAA Foundation Safety Culture include the following:
-People ages 1-34 are most at risk of fatality from motor vehicle crashes.
-Over 10,000 people died in drunk driving crashes in 2009, approximately one-third of all traffic deaths.
-From 2000-2009, an average of 80 people were killed on New Year’s Day in alcohol-related crashes.
With St. Patrick’s Day and Spring Break right around the corner, motorists need to be mindful of the dangers of driving under the influence. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administrationreported that nationally in 2009, the highest percentage of drivers in fatal crashes with BAC levels of .08 or higher were in the 21-24 year-old age group.
Drunk driving accidents are four times more likely to occur at night. Drivers over the legal limit involved in fatal crashes were 8 times more likely to have a prior drunk driving conviction than drivers with no alcohol detected at the time of the crash in 2009.
In 2009, it was also reported that 56% of drivers involved in fatal accidents were driving with a BAC of .15 or higher. The state of Texas reported 27% of drunk driving fatalities (830 deaths) in which at least one driver involved in the crash tested with a .15 BAC level or higher. The state reported over 1,400 fatalities (almost half of total motor vehicle fatalities for the year) in which at least one driver was detected with BAC of .01 or higher in the crash.
Texas has the highest number of drunk driving fatalities each year in the nation; partially due to its size, but mostly because motorists portray irresponsible driving behaviors. Stricter law enforcement and consequences for convictions are helping but it’s not enough.
Don’t rely on the luck of the Irish to get you home safely this St. Patrick’s Day. If you attend parties or events that you plan to drink at, arrange for a driver or friend to get you home safely.
The Goolsby Law Firm is dedicated to helping victims of drunk driving accidents. If you have been involved in a Dallas or Carrollton accident, call 1-972-394-2141 to set up free consultation to discuss your rights.
