With the holidays quickly approaching, the number of drunk driving car accidents in Greenacres is expected to increase. To help to reduce the number of fatal accidents, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) is launching the fifth anniversary of its Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving. With this year’s campaign, MADD released a report that ranks each state on its efforts to stop drunk drivers before causing a fatal accident.
Our Greenacres drunk driving accident attorneys understand that we see a significant spike in the number of alcohol-related traffic crashes every December. During this time, officers throughout the state head out in search of these irresponsible drivers in an effort to get them off the roads. MADD is trying to stop the intoxicated before they even get behind the wheel of a vehicle.
In MADD’s new report, each state was ranked out of five stars for its efforts in stopping drunk-driving accidents. The United States reached an overall three out of five stars. The state of Florida received four out of five stars. We were recognized for reporting a decrease in the number of drunk driving-related deaths since 2006. The report credits our state’s high-visibility law enforcement efforts for the reduction. We were also applauded for our use of ignition interlock devices for some of our convicted drunk drivers. The report suggests that we require all convicted drunk drivers to use ignition interlock devices, not just repeat offenders. Lastly, the report pointed out that the breathalyzer refusal rate in Florida is about 40 percent, highlighting the need for no-refusal enforcement activities.
“While we have made great strides over the last 30 years, drunk driving is still the deadliest epidemic on America’s roads, killing approximately 11,000 people every year,” added U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.
States were ranked on the following criteria:
-Ignition interlock devices and who is required to use them.
-The number of sobriety checkpoints conducted.
-The states’ penalties for driving drunk with a child in the vehicle.
-“No-refusal” activities for those who are suspected of drunk driving.
-The practice of Administrative License Revocation for drunk-driving offenders.
Every year, drunk-driving accidents cost the United States over $130 billion. Of these costs, about $60 billion went to various monetary costs while more than $70 billion went to quality-of-life losses. Employers cover most of the bill, forking out nearly $11 million for car accidents happening on work trips as well as accidents that happen outside of work involving those who are both employees and benefit-eligible dependents. The feds cover nearly $5 million while local and state government dish out another $3 million.
Drunk-driving accidents are 100 percent preventable. We ask all residents to have a safe and happy holiday season and to never get behind the wheel of a motor vehicle after consuming alcohol.
If you or someone you love has been involved in a car accident with a drunk driver in Greenacres, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach or the surrounding areas, contact the personal injury lawyers at Freeman, Mallard, Sharp & Gonzalez. Call for a free and confidential appointment to discuss your rights at 1-800-529-2368.
More Blog Entries:
Learned Behavior Can Result in Higher Risk of Teen Involvement in Drunk Driving Accidents in Fort Pierce, Elsewhere, Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorney Blog, September 30, 2011
Victim Awarded More than $15 Million after Fort Lauderdale Drunk Driving Accident, Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorney Blog, July 13, 2011