Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over
In an effort to stop drunk driving, this Aug. 19 to Sept. 7, 2020, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) mobilizes their “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign. Drunk driving takes the lives of 10,000+ people each year. NHTSA reports nearly 30 people lose their life in drunk-driving crashes in the United States every single day (one person every 50 minutes). In fact, drunk drivers are involved in nearly one out of every three traffic crash fatalities in the United States (with BACs of .08 g/dL or higher).
Effects of Alcohol on Driving
The National Safety Council cautions that “impairment begins with the first drink,” noting the risk of crashing goes up with each drink. NHTSA has published a table that details both the typical and predictable effects of blood alcohol levels on drivers. Note that a “decline in visual functions (rapid tracking of a moving target)” and a “decline in ability to perform two tasks at the same time (divided attention)” happen with a BAC of .02 g/dL. Coordination and response times are reduced with a BAC of .05 g/dL, along with “reduced ability to track moving objects” and “difficulty steering.” As you can imagine, the effects are even worse as BAC levels rise.
**Drunk Driving Dangers in South Carolina
**The State recently published an article about drunk driving in South Carolina, describing the issue in our state as “among the worst in the nation.” Rebecca Edwards for SafeWise ranked South Carolina third on the 2019 list of states with the most drunk driving deaths (5.72 per 100,000 people). Edwards also notes “the southern states (minus Georgia and Florida) ranging from South Carolina to New Mexico feature some of the most dangerous roads for impaired drivers.”
Drunk Driving During COVID-19
Live 5 News reported drunk driving arrests were down in March and April of 2020 likely due to bars being closed and fewer cars on the road. However, as businesses reopen and tourists travel to the Lowcountry, we may see those numbers increase. AAA cautions parents about the “100 Deadliest Days” between Memorial Day and Labor Day, reporting, “the combination of schools closed, activities curtailed, summer jobs canceled, and COVID-19 restrictions being lifted, could prove deadly as teens take to the road this summer.”
**DUI Accident Victims
**If you or someone you love was one of this year’s DUI accident victims, turn to John Price Law Firm, LLC. We provide compassionate yet appropriately aggressive representation to injured individuals throughout South Carolina. We also pursue maximum compensation for families in wrongful death cases. You can count on our Charleston lawyers to be diligent advocates for you.
We’re Here to Help
Contact our personal injury firm if you or a family member has been the victim of a drunk driving accident in South Carolina. We offer a free consultation and 24-hour answering service. We have five convenient locations, with three South Carolina locations being fully staffed with full-time attorneys and experienced support staff, or we can meet you at your home or hospital, with evening and weekend appointments available. Call John Price Law Firm, LLC at (843) 552-6011.
Verbiage from John Price website