The California Highway Patrol reported recently that, in San Diego County, both arrests for driving under the influence of alcohol and alcohol-related fatalities were down for the 2010 Labor Day weekend. According to News10, during the weekend, 72 drivers in San Diego County were arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence or DUI, but no alcohol-related car accident deaths were reported. These numbers represent a decrease from Labor Day 2009, when 82 San Diego County drivers were arrested and one person died in an alcohol-related accident.
Sadly, a large number of California alcohol-related car accidents, injuries, and deaths take place on summer holiday weekends, including Labor Day. Police throughout California and the U.S. have responded to this increase by adding more checkpoints, patrols, and other measures to remove drunk drivers from the streets before anyone can be hurt. But police cannot be everywhere at all times, and accidents do occur.
To further emphasize the dangers associated with drunk driving, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released new data showing that 8% of all motorists, which amounts to as many as 17 million individuals, have operated a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol at least once during the past year. The drunk driving survey also indicates that in the past year, approximately one in five Americans have gotten behind the wheel within two hours of consuming alcohol. Moreover, drunk driving was recognized as a “major threat” to safety by four out of five Americans.
Car crashes are the leading cause of death in the U.S. The risk of a motor vehicle collision is significantly increased when drivers are impaired, distracted by texting or talking on a cell phone or where drivers are confronted with dangerous road conditions.
The California auto accident lawyers at Panish Shea & Boyle have handled a wide range of injury and wrongful death cases relating to motor vehicle collisions, including those caused by drunk or distracted drivers. To learn more about how we can help you obtain full and just compensation from negligent parties responsible for causing your injuries or the loss of your loved one in an auto accident, please visit www.psblaw.com or call 877-800-1700.
