Drunk Driving
At MLG Injury, our Louisiana, Mississippi, and Florida auto accident attorneys know that while it is illegal to drive with a blood alcohol content of .08 or higher across the U.S. — and even lower for certain motorists, like commercial vehicle drivers and drivers under the age of 21 — it is still occurring in inconceivable numbers.
It also does not stop the catastrophic and fatal accidents that occur when their negligence leads to crashes.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, every day, about 32 people in the United States die in drunk-driving crashes — that is one person every 45 minutes. Last year, 11,654 people died in alcohol-impaired driving traffic deaths — a 14% increase from the previous year.
These deaths — and the tens of thousands of injuries that resulted from these crashes — were all preventable.
With the increase in rideshare services, and alternative resources, the question remains: Why do people continue to drive drunk? Although there is no excuse, there are actual reasons why this negligent behavior continues.
Why Do People Continue to Drink and Drive Throughout the U.S.?
Alcohol is a substance that reduces the function of the brain, impairing thinking, reasoning, and muscle coordination. All these abilities are essential to operating a vehicle safely.
When people drink, the result may include:
- Impaired Judgment
Under the influence of alcohol, people might do or say things they would never consider doing when they are sober, including driving. Because alcohol alters perceptions, it can lead to drivers misjudging how impaired they are, which often includes failing to identify how much slower their reaction time and thought processes have become.
- False Sense of Security
Alcohol gives some people a confidence boost that may make them feel invincible when they choose to drive drunk, especially if they have done so before without getting caught. Unfortunately, this often leads to drivers operating their vehicles at higher speeds, or making risky maneuvers, which also leads to crashes.
- Embarrassment
Some people are simply unwilling to admit they have lost control of their circumstances by having to call a friend, taxi, or rideshare service to come to pick them up because they are too impaired to get behind the wheel.
Others may simply not want to leave their vehicle behind and decide to risk the drive. Neither, nor any other reason, is an acceptable excuse for getting behind the wheel intoxicated.
How Can I Help Prevent Drunk Driving?
With the holidays on the horizon, and parties and family gatherings ahead, it is important to understand the consequences of drunk driving can be much more than legal trouble.
They can be deadly.
If you or someone you love has had too much to drink:
- Ask someone you know who does not drink to be your designated driver.
- If you are going to the party, arrange to stay overnight at the host’s house or a nearby hotel.
- Encourage people you know not to drink and drive by offering to serve as their designated driver.
- Call a taxi or schedule a rideshare service to take you to and from the event where you plan to drink.
If you have been injured or lost a loved one in an accident with a drunk driver, contact our skilled Florida, Mississippi, or Louisiana auto accident attorneys at MLG Injury to schedule a free consultation today by calling 888-904-2524.
You should not have to pay for the physical and emotional damages you sustained out of pocket. We can help you pursue the drunk driver’s insurance coverage for your full financial compensation, so you can get your life back. Contact our Florida personal injury lawyers for more legal help.
