The New Year is cause for celebration, but be mindful of the drive to and from the party. In an effort to stem drunk driving and related injuries and fatalities, law enforcement in every state and most U.S. cities are cracking down on drunk driving during the holiday season in a campaign called “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over”.
The number of drunk driving related fatalities is staggering. Each year approximately 10,000 people die on the road due to drunk driving, the equivalent of 20 jumbo jets crashing a year according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. NHTSA studies reveal that three quarters of the drunk driving incidents occur at night. In fact, drunk driving was the cause for a quarter of the driving fatalities between the hours of midnight to 3 a.m. in 2012. This averages to 1 drunk driving fatality every 51 minutes - 27 people a day.
The penalties for drunk driving in Wisconsin can vary depending on whether it is your first offense or if you are a repeat offender. Drunk drivers may face jail time, fines, license revocation and the imposition of an ignition interlock device. If you are involved in an accident while drunk, your troubles multiply, especially if someone is injured or killed.
This holiday season, take care when you are out on the roads by driving defensively. Watch out for drivers exhibiting signs of being impaired – swerving, driving too slow, tailgating, fast acceleration or abrupt stopping are all telltale signs of someone driving under the influence. If you are attending holiday events, drink responsibly or, alternatively, have a plan to get home safely by enlisting the services of a designated driver or a taxi.
If you or a loved one have been arrested for driving under the influence in Wisconsin, contact the Law Offices of Andrew C. Ladd, LLC. for help.
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.gov, accessed December 29, 2014
