Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorney Blog
For quite some time now, the Fourth of July holiday has been ranked as the deadliest holiday on U.S. roadways. On average, close to 140 people are killed on this day alone, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
The United Press International (UPI) reports that car accidents also continue to be the number one killer of residents under the age of 34. Teenagers are about four times more likely to die in these incidents.
Our Wellington car accident lawyers understand that teenage drivers account for close to 10 percent of the driving fatalities we see on the Fourth of July. They’re highly susceptible to these kinds of accidents because of distracted driving and other poor decisions behind the wheel. As a matter of fact, officials with the Allstate Foundation report that about 75 percent of teens claim that they read and respond to texts while driving. That’s a number that’s up close to 50 percent since 2009.
“Putting down the phone, never texting while driving and always wearing a safety belt can help make sure that everyone returns home safely after their Independence Day celebrations,” said Sanjay Gupta from Allstate.
This is where the parents come in. It’s important that you’re always practicing your safest habits behind the wheel to help to steer younger, learning drivers in the right direction.
Drunk drivers are another serious problem we’re facing out there on our roadways. Unfortunately, booze, barbeques and fireworks all go hand in hand. But what many Americans are forgetting in this equation is a designated driver. We want to remind you that officers will be out in full force looking for intoxicated drivers.
Remember that drinking and driving could not only throw you into a fatal accident, but it could also land you in jail.
As a matter of fact, alcohol-impaired drivers are the cause of about a third of all traffic fatalities. Someone is killed on our roadways in these kinds of accidents, on average, about every 45 minutes.
There’s never a reason to get behind the wheel after you’ve been drinking. And that’s why we’re asking drivers to take the pledge to drive drug and alcohol-free.
Remember, there are ways to get home safely if you’ve been drinking. You should make sure you’ve got yourself a designated driver before you head out. But if those plans fall through, you can always call a cab, a friend or a family member to come pick you up. There’s even public transportation to fall back on. When those options aren’t available, you’re better off just staying put and sleeping over. A hotel room is a heck of a lot cheaper than a drunk driving conviction.
If you or someone you love was injured or killed in a car accident, contact Freeman, Mallard, Sharp, & Gonzalez at 1-800-561-7777 for a free and confidential consultation to discuss your rights.
More Blog Entries:
South Florida Traffic Safety: Feds Make No Secret of Monitoring Driving Habits, Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorney Blog, June 19, 2013
Summer, Distracted Driving and the Increased Risk of Red-Light Collisions, Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorney Blog, June 18, 2013