Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorney Blog
We all know that it’s dangerous to drink and drive, but we’re still losing the lives of thousands of people because of these accidents every year. What gives?
According to newly-released statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were close to 10,000 people killed in alcohol-related car accidents in the U.S. in 2011. These kinds of accidents accounted for more than 30 percent of all fatal car accidents throughout the year.
Our Lake Worth injury lawyers understand that drivers between the ages of 21 and 24 were most likely to get into the accidents, followed by drivers ages 35 to 44. Men were more likely to get into these accidents, too. The proportion of drivers involved in fatal crashes with BAC levels of .08 or higher was 24 percent among males and 14 percent among females.
No matter who you are, or when you’re driving, getting behind the wheel after consuming alcohol should never be an option.
You’re urged to be safe out there, especially while driving at night. As a matter of fact, the rate of alcohol impairment among drivers involved in fatal accidents throughout 2011 was close to 5 times higher at night than during the daytime. You’re also urged to be safe out there during the weekend, as more than 30 percent of these accidents happened during this time.
In the state of Florida, there were close to 2,400 people killed in alcohol-related car accidents in 2011. According to the NHTSA, close to 900 of these fatalities involved at least one driver who was under the influence of alcohol at the time of collision. What’s even worse news is that more than 715 of these drivers were legally drunk, or reported a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher.
It wasn’t like everyone was just running around drinking and driving for the first time either. Many of these accidents involved drivers who had already been busted. Drivers with a BAC level of .08 or higher in fatal accidents in 2011 were seven times more likely to have a prior conviction for driving while impaired than were drivers with no alcohol.
Broward County is pretty dangerous when it comes to these kinds of accidents, too. According to the Florida Department of Motor Vehicles, there were close to 1,000 drunk driving convictions handed out in 2010. We were ranked as one of the most dangerous counties in the state because of it.
We all have to remember that there is never a legitimate reason to get behind the wheel after consuming alcohol. There’s always a safe and sober ride there waiting — and it’s just a phone call away. After all, it beats the heck out of getting busted and doing jail time, or getting into an accident and hurting ourselves or another traveler.
If you or someone you love has been injured or killed in a car accident, call Freeman, Mallard, Sharp & Gonzalez — 1-800-561-7777 for a free appointment to discuss your rights.
More Blog Entries:
Three Teens Killed in Riviera Beach Off-Ramp Accident, Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorney Blog, April 22, 2013
Enraged Driver Allegedly Stabs Motorists after Fort Lauderdale Accident, Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorney Blog, April 18, 2013