According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), 2 out of 3 people will
be affected by drunk driving within their lifetime. In addition to the
loss of life, and irreversible injuries these accidents often inflict,
there is also an economic cost. In the U.S., the economic toll for drunk
driving related deaths and injuries amounts to approximately $52 billion
annually. With summer fast approaching, and many taking time off, the
risk for drunk driving accidents is likely to increase. In fact, the National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) states that summertime is
one of the most dangerous seasons, causing nearly twice the number of
automotive deaths than the rest of the year combined.
Combat Drunk Driving
If you believe someone on the road is driving while drunk, pull over and report the driver by calling 9-1-1. Do not risk your safety to report a drunk driver. Some of the signs you should watch out for include:
- Making wide turns
- Weaving, swerving, or straddling the center line
- Nearly striking another vehicle or object
- Driving at an abnormally slow speed
- Erratic braking
- Making abrupt or illegal turns
- Driving with the headlights off after dark
- Slow responses to traffic signals
Help Prevent Drunk Driving
If you are throwing a party this summer, do your part to help ensure your guests travel home safely and do not get into a vehicle while drunk. Here are some tips that can help prevent drunk driving:
- Offer non-alcoholic beverages, such as soda, juice, and water. Never make a guest feel pressured to drink alcohol.
- Have plenty of appetizers or food available.
- Pay attention to the amount of alcohol your guests are drinking and arrange alternate transportation if necessary. It could save not only your guest’s life, but the life of others on the road.
- Never serve minors alcohol. Car crashes are among the leading cause of death for teens, a quarter of which involve a drunk underage driver.
Avoid Driving Drunk
It is also important to make sure you are drinking responsibly. If you plan on drinking, choose a designated driver who will not be consuming any alcohol, or arrange for transportation to get you home safely. There are many alternatives to help individuals get home safely and no excuse for getting behind the wheel if you are drunk.
If you are out with friends who have also been drinking, and they attempt to drive, protect them by taking their keys. It might upset them, but the alternative is worse. However, it is important to be as non-confrontational as possible. Remember, the person you are speaking to is impaired and not thinking clearly. You may also want to enlist the help of another friend to act as moral support. The goal is not to have a fight, but to keep your friend safe, so do everything you can to express how much you care.
Los Angeles Attorneys Representing Victims of Drunk Driving
If you or someone you love was hit by a drunk driver in Los Angeles, you have a right to pursue compensation from the drunk driver and anyone else responsible. The Biren Law Group has a 4 decade history of obtaining maximum compensation for seriously injured victims of drunk driving. Not only are we accomplished at establishing liability, including punitive damages where appropriate, but also in making sure that the victim's injuries are appropriately medically so that the victim makes as good a recovery as possible and in documenting every aspect of the victim's harms – injuries, past and future medical expenses, past and future loss of earnings capacity and pain and suffering – so that maximum compensation can be obtained.
Let the Biren Law Group put our 40 years of experience to work for you.
Call us today at (310) 896-4345 for a free case evaluation.