If you ask Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), they will tell you that Americans are too tolerant of people who drive drunk.
New statistics show that the death tolls on the nation’s highways is rising. If you ask the Transportation Secretary, Anthony Foxx, why, he will say it is because of cheap gas and the economy is rocking.
Yet, there are other, more obvious reasons. Speeding on highways and distracted driving are two of those reasons.
The National Safety Council (NSC) and MADD are both in agreement that the United States can do more about alcohol-related auto accidents. There has been some success in lowering the overall percentage of these crashes to 29.2 percent of all traffic fatalities. However, that still means that 10,265 people were killed in DUI-related crash in 2015. That’s up 3.2% from 2014’s rate.
Put in perspective, it is still very close to one-third of all traffic deaths.
Granted, that is down from a few decades ago when nearly one-half of all traffic fatalities involved alcohol. Though the percentage is down, progress has stalled.
Both the NSC and MADD believe that ignition-interlock devices would go a long way to lowering that percentage even further. They both believe that the required installation of the devices on even first time offenders is the most effective way to lower the number of drunk-driving fatalities.
Yet only 23 states have laws that require every DUI offender to use the devices, which require that they blow into a device and prove they have not been drinking before they can drive.
Most states only have laws that require repeat offenders or those who have high levels of alcohol in their systems to install them.
In addition, both organizations say that the law of chance favors drunk drivers. On average, a person can drive drunk 80 times before being caught.
If you have been charged with DUI, you will need legal representation. Our attorneys specialize in the defense of DUI charges. We can help you. Call us today.
