The Truth About Drunk Driving and How to Respond If You’re in an Accident
While we all know about the risk of drunk driving and most people in Florida are familiar with the slogan “Drive sober and be pulled over” (or variations on the theme), the reality is that many people still get behind the wheel somewhat impaired. This puts others on the road at risk.
In this article, we cover how much of a problem this is for residents of Boca Raton and elsewhere in Florida, and what to do if you get into a dui accident, even if you’re stone cold sober at the time.
Drunk Driving Statistics
Across the country, traffic fatalities where one person behind the wheel while intoxicated are tracked by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. They have found that roughly one-third of accidents involved a drunk driver. Sadly, every hour at least one person in the U.S. dies in an accident involving a drunk driver too.
The Florida Department of Motor Vehicles indicated in 2011 that over 33,000 convictions for DUIs in the state were on their books. Some 985 of these happened in Fort Lauderdale and 2,274 over in Miami-Data County.
What’s Been the Situation in Florida More Recently?
Florida lost 8,476 individuals in alcohol-related crashes from 2003 to 2012. Indeed, by 2012, the rate of deaths due to drunk drivers was 12 percent ahead of the U.S. average.
According to the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Crash Facts publication, in 2016, Florida saw 5,223 vehicle crashes with at least one inebriated driver. From that total, there were 461 fatalities but also 3,160 injuries to people involved in the crashes. This was a five percent decline from 2015.
How to Avoid a Crash and What to Do If You’re in One?
Being more aware of the other drivers and their vehicle’s behavior is important. Use defensive driving, drive slower and more carefully around other drivers. In a sense, expect them to do unexpected things rather than being surprised by it and failing to react quickly enough to avoid a potential accident.
If you do get into an accident, Florida law requires you to move your vehicle out of the flow of traffic to a safe spot, where possible. It is not advisable to sit in traffic, calling your vehicle’s insurer and 911, and waiting for the authorities to show up. This will create unnecessary traffic bottlenecks. Put your hazard lights on and slowly move your vehicle to the side of the road as best you can.
Not only is the law there to allow other drivers to continue on their way, but with the traffic moving, emergency vehicles can get through to your location too. Otherwise, they may be unable to reach you or other people involved in the accident who may be seriously injured.
Also, if you have been hurt in an accident on the road, check with an ovi defense attorney to see whether you can seek compensation for it. Whilst you can only take responsibility for your own actions, driving defensively to protect against other negligent drivers is helpful to avoid at least some potential accidents that would otherwise occur. On the other hand, if you are the one who is at fault, then you might want to hire a dui attorney or a team of Criminal Legal Defense professionals to help you defend your case.
