In California, if a person has a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08% or higher then they cannot legally drive. If they do, then they’re knowingly putting others at risk by increasing the chances that they’ll get into an accident. Intoxication makes decision making more difficult, decreases the control a person has over the vehicle, and blurs the vision.
Serious accidents happen every day
The sad news is that there are serious auto accidents involving drunk drivers all the time. Whether it’s with a car, truck, bus, or other vehicle, getting into an accident while drunk can lead to long term, catastrophic injuries including everything from brain damage to broken bones to spinal cord damage – and even death.
Drunk driving accident statistics
Just how serious is this problem? In 2014, 882 people were killed in accidents that involved drivers whose BAC was over the legal limit. That was more than one-quarter of all fatalities in the state – which was an increase of almost 2% compared to 2013. All the way back in 2009, new initiatives were put into place and they seemed to work: In a year, the number of deaths involving drunk drivers fell from 1,029 to 950, dropped all the way to 774 in 2011, and then started going back up again.
Counties are taking action to try and stop drunk driving
There are counties all over California that are trying to do something about this situation. One option is to require ignition interlock devices, otherwise known as IIDs, for drivers who have a DUI conviction. These devices require the driver to blow into them before their vehicle will start. If their blood alcohol count is above the legal limit then the car won’t start and that person can’t drive. Evidence shows that these devices are actually very effective and have lowered fatalities caused by drunk driving.
What you can do to avoid drunk drivers
Obviously, the first thing you can do is to not drive drunk and to not get into a vehicle with someone who’s driving after drinking. There are other things you can do too. If you’re driving and you notice that a driver is swerving all over the road, or if they keep speeding up and then slowing down rapidly and randomly, then you can assume they’re intoxicated. Stay away from these vehicles and call 9-1-1 to report them to the authorities.
What to do if your life has been affected by a drunk driver
If you’ve been in an accident that was caused by a drunk driver, or if a loved one was injured or lost their life as a result of an intoxicated driver, then your next call should be to a California personal injury attorney. At Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas, we’re happy to provide a free case evaluation to let you know exactly what your options are. Call us today at 909-982-0707.
