Drunk Driving means Accidents and Legal Inconveniences

Drunk driving brings nothing but trouble and misery. The first and least problem is running afoul of the law against DUI or driving under the influence. Penalties for DUI, even for the first offense, have been increased all around. There are even state laws that now impose mandatory jail time especially for repeat offenders. But the worst thing that can happen is your losing limb and life as drunk driving has been consistently shown as parent to road accidents.

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On the stricter laws against drunk driving, about two-third of the states have now passed Administrative License Revocation (ALR) laws, which allows the arresting officer to take the license of drivers who fail or refuse to take a breath test. The fines imposed for driving while intoxicated are larger, the length of license suspension longer and redeeming a confiscated licenses made doubly harder. That should be enough warning and deterrent for law-abiding citizens who hate tussles with the law.


Many states have passed Habitual Violator laws, which provide felony penalties for three DUI convictions. These offenders can lose many of their civil rights like being able to vote or own a weapon as well as their driver’s license permanently or for many, many years. In order to get that license back, most states now require offenders to complete some form of a DUI school or education and assessment program. Now the offender must first go through an assessment interview with a professional counselor before it is decided what steps must be completed before the driver’s license is reinstated. The counselor, based on his assessment of the drunk driver, can mandate attendance in Alcoholics Anonymous meetings a residential treatment program, detoxification or other medical treatment.


All of this cost time and money or both on top of the fines and probation fees the offender must pay. But that is not the only cost involved. Many states also require additional insurance coverage before returning driving privileges to DUI offenders, and that can run into serious money. Then there is the fee most states charge for re-issuing a driver’s license.

Images via Flickr NehaSarin

But despite all the warnings, public awareness and educational programs, stiffer penalties for violations, and efforts by law enforcement agencies across the nation to be more visible and diligent in protecting the highways, people still get behind the wheel of their vehicles while intoxicated. According to a morbidity and mortality report of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, vehicular accidents are the leading cause of death in the US in any given year. And over 40 percent of these deaths are DUI-related (source: http://www.cdc.gov/media/pressrel/r020703.htm).


In effect, the justice system is holding drunk drivers accountable for the damage they do to those killed or injured on the highways. The monetary liabilities for such incidents can run into millions of dollars, not to mention the criminal penalties. In some areas, part of the DUI school curriculum puts offenders face to face with victims, who tell their painful stories of how a drunk driver changed their lives forever. The idea is that personalizing the pain that drinking and driving can cause might make the offender stop and think before getting behind the wheel.


This is what the National Traffic Safety Institute is trying to do. NTSI offers a variety of programs designed for violators with a first or multiple driving offenses related to alcohol or other drugs. These educational programs are 12 hours to 18 months in duration, depending on individual requirements. The programs offer an intensive, individualized analytical and educational examination of the dangers and problems (both personal and social) of impaired driving. Addiction, the disease concept of alcoholism, family history of alcoholism, and denial are among the topics covered in the program.


For more information about Defensive Driving Courses, please visit the National Traffic Safety Institute at http://www.ntsi.com, call us at (866) 346-3283, or email us at corporate@ntsi.com.

Do’s and Don’ts on Safe Driving

Car accidents are the leading cause of death for people in both developed and less developed countries. Automobile technology may have improved by leaps and bounds in terms of ensuring road safety and convenience but because of human error, the grim statistics on vehicular accidents continue to pile up. The best way to reduce the risk of being involved in an accident then is to practice safe driving behaviors. 

Here are 10 Driving Tips that can help bring you and your passengers to your intended destination in one piece.

 
Don’t drive when drunk. Drunk driving is the No.1 cause of car accidents, the reason it is a crime in many cities. Even at low blood-alcohol levels, intoxication reduces reaction time and coordination and lowers inhibitions, which can cause drivers to make foolish choices. At higher levels, alcohol causes blurred or double vision and even loss of consciousness. If you’ve been drinking and needed to drive, ask a sober friend for a ride or call a cab. The mild inconvenience of taking a cab home is nothing compared to the disastrous consequences of driving drunk.


Avoid speeding. Research shows that for every mile per hour you drive on the speedometer, the likelihood of your being in an accident increases by four to five percent (source: http://www.nhtsa.gov/people/injury/research/pub/hs809012.html ).At higher speeds, the risk increases even more. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, speeding is one of the most prevalent factors contributing to traffic crashes.


Don’t use phones. In the U.S., studies place at 2,600 the deaths caused yearly by the practice of using cell phones while driving. The main reason is that working a cell phone behind the wheel can delay reaction times by as much as 20 percent.


Don’t nod off. A study conducted by Virginia Tech reported that 20 percent of all accidents have sleepiness as a contributing factor. If a driver is tired enough to actually fall asleep while driving, the results are predictable. Even on a relatively straight highway, a sleeping driver will eventually drift off the road. So get a good night’s sleep before going on a long drive.


Wear seat belts. Seat belts save lives during crashes. Worn properly, they prevent you from being thrown around the inside of a crashing vehicle or, worse, thrown through the windshield and flung completely out of the vehicle. The numbers are much scarier for young drivers and passengers: A staggering 70 percent of fatal crash victims between the ages of 13 and 15 weren’t wearing seat belts.


Exercise caution in bad weather. If you’re driving through fog, heavy rain, a snow storm or on icy roads, be extra cautious. If you’re driving through weather conditions you don’t know well, consider delegating driving duties to someone who does, if possible. If the weather worsens, just find a safe place to wait out the storm. Drivers who can’t see the road will be looking for other cars to follow along the highway. When they see your lights, they’ll drive toward you and may not realize you’re not moving in time to avoid a collision.


Keep your car well-maintained. Vehicle maintenance isn’t just an important way to extend your car’s life but also a major safety issue. Many maintenance issues are addressed by state-mandated vehicle inspections. If your car is unsafe, the inspecting mechanic will let you know what you need to do to fix it. However, there could be a year or more between inspections, so car owners need to be aware of any potential safety issues and get them repaired before they lead to an accident.


For more information about Defensive Driving Courses, please visit the National Traffic Safety Institute at www.ntsi.com, call us at (866) 346-3283, or email us at corporate@ntsi.com.