The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration of the United States Department of Transportation launched its yearly Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over Labor Day campaign. Their goal is to reduce impaired driving and enhance road safety for all road users.
Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), the Governors’ Highway Safety Association (GHSA), Carolinas Medical Center, and the Tempe, Arizona, Police Department joined NHTSA Acting Administrator Dr. Steven Cliff in getting the conversation started regarding the fatal consequences of driving while impaired and what steps are being taken nationally to save lives and make sure that enforcement is equitable.
While nothing is likely to reduce drunk driving to zero, steps like this can help reduce how many people drive while drunk – which could prevent car accidents in general and fatal car accidents specifically. If you have been injured in a car accident, contact Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707 to request a free legal consultation.
The Seriousness of Drunk Driving Accidents
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 10,142 persons were killed in car accidents involving an inebriated driver in 2019. From 2015 to 2019, more than 10,000 individuals were slain on average each year. Every 52 minutes, one life is lost. The safety of all road users is jeopardized. In 2019, a drunk driver was predicted to be involved in 13% of fatal pedestrian collisions.
What the Campaign Will Involve
From August 18 to September 6, 2021, drivers may expect enhanced message and law enforcement presence on the road as part of this traffic safety effort to promote road safety and keep impaired drivers off the roads. A $12 million nationwide paid advertising campaign supporting the proposal includes a variety of sobering public service messages: If you feel differently, you drive differently; if you drive high, you get a DUI; and if you ride sober, you get pulled over.
Tips for Avoiding Driving While Intoxicated
To avoid intoxicated driving, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has issued the following recommendations:
- Remember that driving while inebriated is never acceptable.
- Make preparations ahead of time. To go out and safely return home, choose a sober driver, arrange to take public transit, or hire a ride service. Even one drink can damage your ability to drive.
- Use your community’s sober ride program if it’s offered.
- If you encounter a driver who is inebriated on the road, call 911.
If you follow these tips and are hit by a driver, whether they are drunk or not, contact Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707 to determine if you have grounds for legal action.
