Arizona authorities will join the U.S. Department of Transportation in the nationwide “Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest” crackdown scheduled to last through the Labor Day weekend.
Drunk drivers are responsible for approximately one-third of Phoenix car accidents and serious and fatal car accidents elsewhere in Arizona. The Arizona Department of Transportation reports that 294 of the state’s 842 fatal accidents involved a drunk driver in 2008.Nationwide, nearly 12,000 people were killed by drunk drivers in 2008, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which reports that someone in the United States is killed by a drunk driver every 45 minutes.
“Drunk driving is deadly, it’s against the law, and unfortunately, it’s still a problem,” said Secretary LaHood. “With the help of law enforcement around the country, we are going to continue doing all that we can to stop drunk driving and the needless tragedies that result from this reckless behavior.”
The government reports that eight percent of all drivers — some 17 million motorists — have driven drunk at least once in the last year. About 1 in 5 have driven in the past year within two hours of consuming alcohol. Yet 80 percent of Americans identify drunk drivers as a major threat to the safety of their families.
“Our message is loud and clear. If you drive drunk you will be arrested and prosecuted. There will be no exceptions and no excuses,” said NHTSA Administrator David Strickland. “And if you’re below the age of 21, there is zero tolerance for any alcohol in your system whatsoever. That’s why we’re out there with law enforcement, tackling this major safety issue head on.”
The study found that young males ages 21 to 24 were at the highest risk — a full one-fourth had either driven after having too much to drink or rode in a car with an intoxicated driver at some point during the last 12 months.
If you have been injured in a traffic accident, contact the Phoenix accident lawyers at Abels & Annes for a free and confidential appointment to discuss your rights. Call (602) 819-5191 today.