Arizona Accident Lawyer Blog

As Phoenix car accident attorneys, we were surprised to hear that drunk driving arrests were down 25 percent this year compared to last year, according to a news story in Fox 10 on December 22, 2011. While this is partly due to the fact that interlock ignition systems have cut down on the number of people driving drunk, it also has to do with some serious budget cuts in some cities that affect DUI task forces responsible for arresting drunk drivers. As injury attorneys, we know how important arresting drunk drivers can be in order to prevent serious car accidents, and we hope that the reduced number of arrests can be attributed to less drunk drivers in the area.

Phoenix Alcohol-Related Car Accident Statistics

According to the report in Fox 10, there were 2,386 people arrested for drunk driving during November 24, 2011 and December 21, 2011. In 2009, there were 3,186 arrests made during the same time period. According to the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT), there were three alcohol-related car accidents during Christmas weekend last year that resulted in three deaths. In Phoenix in 2010, there were 1,457 alcohol-related car accidents resulting in 52 deaths and 957 injuries.

Prevent Phoenix Car Accidents: The DUI Task Force’s Attempt

Although DUI arrests are down, police plan to step up their arrests during Christmas weekend to try to prevent alcohol-related car accidents. They will have six new DUI vans, as well as motorcycles and undercover cars in the street watching for drunk drivers. The vans are equipped with blood testing systems, allowing officers to save time and get right back in the field.

Contact a Phoenix Drunk Driving Accident Attorney

As Phoenix drunk driving accident attorneys, we applaud any attempt officers make at preventing Phoenix car accidents, especially including arresting drunk drivers. We also support organizations like Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (MADD) who bring awareness to the dangers of driving drunk. We hold drunk drivers responsible for the financial damage they have caused, including the expensive medical bills car accident victims often have, and we also file for punitive damages that are meant to further compensate our clients and punish the driver who broke the law. For a free consultation, contact us today.

As Arizona car accident lawyers, we want to let everyone know about a service provided by the Automobile Association of America (AAA) called “Tipsy Tow.” The service was launched in 2009 and offers a free one-way ride/tow home to drivers and one passenger who have been drinking. The available dates for December 2011 are Saturday, December 24, 2011 from 6 p.m. until Sunday, December 25, 2011 at 6 a.m., as well as Saturday, December 31, 2011 from 6 p.m. until Sunday, January 1, 2012 at 6 a.m. Any drivers who have been drinking can participate; they do not have to be a member of AAA. Also, anyone can call on behalf of the driver, including restaurant or bar staff, friends, family members, and more. The number is 1-800-AAA-HELP.

Arizona Car Accident Statistics

According to AAA, there were almost 40,000 car accidents involving drunk drivers between the years of 2004 and 2009. There were also approximately 230,000 DUI arrests in Arizona within that same time period. The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) released a study that reported nine fatal car accidents during Christmas of 2010, resulting in 10 people killed. Three of those car accidents were alcohol related. In 2009, there were seven people killed in Christmas car accidents and two people killed in 2008. The years 2006 and 2007 had even higher fatality rates, with 13 and 12 people killed in Christmas car accidents, respectively.

Contact an Arizona Drunk Driving Accident Attorney

As Arizona drunk driving accident attorneys, we know there are plenty of safe drivers out there who would never drive drunk and who always obey traffic rules. However, we also know that these same drivers can easily be injured by someone who isn’t obeying the law. While AAA has a great program to cut down on the number of alcohol-related car accidents in Arizona, accidents can still happen. If you are injured in an alcohol-related car accident in Arizona, contact the Husband and Wife Law Team at the Breyer Law Offices, P.C. for a free consultation.

As Mesa drunk driving accident attorneys, we were shocked to hear that a man drove while intoxicated with his 6-year-old daughter in the back seat on December 11, 2011. The 31-year-old man was arrested at 12:30 a.m. with a blood alcohol level more than twice the legal limit, according to AZ Central. Police pulled him over after watching him strike the curb on Eighth Street several times. We are very thankful that police apprehended this man before anyone was injured.

Mesa Car Accident: Victims’ Rights

It is important for victims to know what their rights are. Some adults who knowingly enter a car with an impaired driver believe they don’t have any rights if they are injured, but this isn’t always the case. When victims are injured or killed in an alcohol-related car accident, they may also be able to file for punitive damages, which are meant to bring further compensation to the victims as well as set an example so no other people break the law by driving under the influence of alcohol.

Mesa Car Accident Statistics

There were 6,130 total Mesa car accidents in 2010 and 294 alcohol-related car accidents, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT). Drunk driving resulted in seven deaths and 182 injuries in 2010.

Contact a Mesa Personal Injury Attorney

If you or a loved one, such as a child, is injured by a drunk driver, contact the Husband and Wife Law Team at Breyer Law Offices, P.C. today. The sooner we can begin investigating the car accident, the more evidence we will have to collect. We examine evidence including witness statements, police reports as well as debris left by the car accident. We use this evidence to hold the at-fault driver responsible for medical expenses and more, and also examine whether or not we have a claim for punitive damages. Contact us for a free consultation today at (602) 267-1280.

According to Gilbert Police, a 25-year-old man was arrested after reportedly being drunk and crashing his vehicle into a dumpster and then assaulting an ambulance worker. The crash happened at about 9:45 pm. The Gilbert Police received a call and immediately responded to an area near Barney Park where the man had crashed his car. Initially, it was determined he had a blood alcohol level of approximately .295 and was charged with a DUI. Next to the scene were the Gilbert Fire Department and Southwest Ambulance, and the ambulance crew was dispatched to the scene. During the medical evaluation, the man kicked the ambulance worker in the face. The drunk driver was transported to Gilbert Mercy Hospital and later transferred to 4th Avenue Jail where he was sentenced for aggravated assault and DUI charges.

Arizona Drunk Driving Statistics

According to the Governor’s office, they have initiated a total of 14,000 arrests of people driving under the influence as compared to 10,400 arrests in 2008. From these statistics, 960 of the individuals arrested had a blood alcohol level of 0.15% or even higher.

Arizona’s DUI Laws and Offenses

Under Arizona law, when a driver’s BAC reaches up to 0.08 and above, the driver is already under the extreme driving under the influence category and will already receive penalties. Arrests can be made whenever an officer suspects that the person’s ability to drive is already impaired, which can be based on the driver's behavior, appearance, statements, and performance.

Contact an Arizona Personal Injury Lawyer

If you are injured in an accident by a drunk driver, or a person who is drunk hurts you, you may have a personal injury claim. Contact the Arizona Husband and Wife Law Team at Breyer Law Offices, P.C. for a free consultation on your claim at 602-457-6222. When you have been injured by a drunk driver, you deserve to make sure justice is achieved and that you are not stuck paying medical bills and other expenses incurred because of the irresponsible behavior of another individual. Call now for your free consultation at 602-457-6222.

Speeding combined with alcohol consumption is a road violation which becomes much worse when other civilians are involved. NHTSA has an estimated economic cost of $40.4 billion per year in speed-related crashes alone. In 2009, speeding was a contributing factor of 31% out of all fatal crashes. However, speed-related crashes showed a decrease of 10%, from 11,767 in 2008 down to 10,591 in 2009.

In recent news, a 40-year-old woman was killed early Saturday morning in a single vehicle drunk driving accident in Arizona just south of Casa Grande (AZCentral 09/10/2011). The victim was a passenger in the 1995 Chevy Corsica, which lost control and struck a metal pole while turning right from Jimmie Kerr Boulevard to Peart Road. Efforts to revive her failed and she was pronounced dead. The Chevy Corsica was driven by a 20-year-old woman who was also rushed to Maricopa Medical Center with serious, non-life threatening injuries. Police say that the vehicle was traveling at a high speed in excess of 100 mph. Evidences suggest that speed and alcohol consumption were the causes of the collision.

According to NHTSA, alcohol-impaired driving fatalities accounted for 10,839 out of a total of 33,808; a 7.4% decrease compared to 2008. In Arizona alone, 219 out of 807 accounted for alcohol-impaired driving which was a 14% decrease from 2008. As a constant reminder, it’s better to not drive when drunk.

If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident involving an alcohol-impaired driver in Arizona, you may call our drunk driving victim attorneys in Phoenix at (602) 457-6222 for a free consultation.

A Peoria accident resulted in the death of a woman Tuesday morning when her car collided with an SUV at Peoria Avenue and the off-ramp from Interstate 17 (AZ Central 07/19/2011).

Phoenix Police Department said the accident happened just after midnight while the 45-year-old victim was driving her 2005 Ford Mustang north into an intersection. A 1996 Toyota 4Runner then struck her on the driver side sending her to a local hospital where she was later pronounced dead.

Initial investigations point at impairment as a factor in the crash. The driver of the SUV was suspected by Police to have failed to stop at a red light.

With 32 percent of car accident deaths in the U.S. associated with alcohol impairment (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration), it is alarming to see that drunken driving accidents continue to happen. In Arizona, alcohol impaired driving fatalities made up 27 percent of total vehicle crash deaths in 2009.

In an effort to decrease drunk driving accidents in Arizona, authorities continue aggressive campaigns against people driving under the influence. Last year a statewide task force was held to monitor holiday DUI which resulted to thousands of arrests.

But despite this, a number of drivers continue to abuse alcohol and put everyone’s lives on the road at great risk. Report drivers who you suspect are driving under the influence to local authorities to prevent such accidents from happening.

Victims of impaired drivers who seek compensation related to a personal injury can call our Peoria car accident lawyers for a free consultation at (602) 457-6222.

Drunk driving and speeding is a dangerous combination that is the cause of a majority of automobile accidents. In most instances, these two are the main cause of fatal crashes in the United States. Alcohol-impaired driving crashes kills almost 30 people in the United States. In 2009, fatalities involving alcohol-impaired drivers reached to almost 11,000 or nearly 32 percent of all motor vehicle accident fatalities nationwide.

Meanwhile, speeding, according to studies can increase the likelihood of an accident. This is because travelling at a high speed can reduce the possibility to respond in time when needed. Speeding consists of exceeding the posted speed limit or driving too fast for the road conditions or any speed-related violation charged (racing, driving above speed limit, speed greater than reasonable, exceeding special speed limit). In 2008, 11,674 speeding-related fatalities were recorded nationwide in 2008. In Arizona alone, 373 from 937 fatalities were reported.

On Monday night (6-28-11), another car wreck occurred at Dunlap and 29th avenues. Police say that alcohol and street racing are the cause of the wreck. The two cars were racing when they crashed into a turning car in Dunlap Avenue.

Three passengers of the turning car were injured and were taken to a local hospital. Meanwhile the driver of one of the cars fled while the other, who was suspected to be impaired stayed in the scene.

Despite the continuous decline of traffic accidents involving impaired drivers, it is still important for us to continue to be aware of some safety steps especially when we cannot avoid social plans involving alcohol.

Prior to any drinking, designate a non-drinking driver when with a group.

• Don’t let your friends drive impaired. Take their keys away.
• If you have been drinking, get a ride home or call a taxi.
• If you’re hosting a party where alcohol will be served, remind your guests to plan ahead and designate their sober driver; offer alcohol-free beverages; and make sure all guests leave with a sober driver.

For victims of fatal car accidents due to impaired or speeding drivers in Arizona, call our free consultation hotline at (480) 389-2463. As Phoenix speeding accident attorneys, we are ready to assist you in getting what you deserve.

Did you know that drunk driving is the most common cause of fatal car crashes in the United States? Almost 30 people die everyday in motor vehicle crashes involving an alcohol-impaired driver. Many of us know someone who was a victim of these kinds of tragic incidents. Motor vehicle accidents in the country rank first when it comes to the causes of deaths among 5- to 34- years old. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

The CDC has also revealed that in 2009, more than 2.3 million adult drivers and passengers were treated in emergency departments because of injuries due to motor vehicle accidents. In addition, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that almost 34,000 persons were killed all over the country in 2009 as result of fatal car accidents.

It was early Friday morning, around 3 a.m. (05/13/11), when an SUV crashed into the recently-installed barriers outside a Phoenix bar at Wild Bill Saloon (Glendale) and 27th avenue. Two people were seen inside the SUV when it crashed.

The driver of the red SUV got out and ran away. He was captured by the police before he got too far. Police also believed that the driver was impaired. Both the driver and the passenger sustained minor injuries because of the crash.

Drinking alcoholic beverages is legal, however it is illegal to drive a car after drinking. . We should also remember that there are limitations, and we should know when we need to ask for a sober ride home. Here are some helpful tips provided by CDC to avoid alcohol-impaired auto accidents in Arizona:

• Prior to any drinking, designate a non-drinking driver when with a group.
• Don’t let your friends drive impaired. Take their keys away.
• If you have been drinking, get a ride home or call a taxi.
• If you’re hosting a party where alcohol will be served, remind your guests to plan ahead and designate their sober driver; offer alcohol-free beverages; and make sure all guests leave with a sober driver.

As Arizona drunk driving accident lawyers, we believe that one way to help stop these accidents is by holding alcohol impaired drivers responsible for their actions. For victims of drunken driving accidents, we are available at (602) 267-1280. Call us now for your free consultation; we may be able to help you.

Statistics show that vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among American teens. Most of these fatalities were caused by reckless driving, drunk driving or distracted driving. Teens are unfortunately at a higher risk of being involved in a car accident. The National Young Driver Survey found that 20 percent of 11th graders have had at least one crash for the past year and 3 percent have had about 2. The fatality rate of drivers age 16 to 19 is four times higher than that of drivers age 25 to 69.

Because of this, the Arizona Highway Patrol Association (AHPA) in collaboration with Impact Teen Drivers, arranged a public awareness program that aims to educate teens on the dangers of drunk, reckless, or distracted driving. These sponsors are in charge of giving educational materials not only to teens, but to parents, teachers and members of the community as well. The program also let teens experience real-time driving scenarios. The experience is kept in a controlled, safe environment at a track at Avondale Toyota/Scion.

Indeed this event is helpful in educating teens about the dangers of distracted driving to help reduce these incidents in Arizona. Another effort to raise awareness about the dangers of distracted driving is the American Lawyer Academy’s Viral Video Scholarship contest, for which the Husband and Wife Law Team is the Southwest regional sponsor. Students were instructed to create a video enforcing safe driving habits to enter for a chance to win up to a $10,000 scholarship. Videos are open to public voting today! Cast your vote every day to help your favorite video!

Continue reading "Preventing Teens from Distracted Driving" »

The United States reported 5.5 million car crashes in 2009 and 32 percent of them were due to impaired drivers. Drunk driving haunts thousands in every nation each year and leaves many people killed or injured. April is Alcohol Awareness Month, so please take a minute to remind yourself and others about the dangers of drunk driving—you could just save a life.

In Phoenix, the Arizona Department of Public Safety and various police agencies arrested 48 people with outstanding warrants regarding drunken driving offenses under the fifth multi-agency driving under the influence warrant roundup last Thursday.

The DPS, Phoenix, Surprise, Scottsdale Police and Maricopa County Adult Probation Department participated in the said event.

The officers went to homes and businesses to arrest the DUI suspects. However, if the DUI suspects don’t want to be arrested, they can submit themselves voluntarily at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Phoenix.

Based on the report, Department of Public Safety arrested 33 suspects, Surprise Police Department has 8, Phoenix Police Department has 3, Maricopa County Adult Probation has 3 and Maricopa County Sheriff's Office Constables 1 suspect arrested.

This pursuit of the authorities regarding DUI is such a big thing to do to stop the increasing incidence of fatalities in car crashes. Drunk drivers must not be allowed to drive and drink because it just triples the risk of having a fatal crash which could kill and injure million of innocent people. Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) has found that the average drunk driver is not caught for the first time until they’ve driven drunk approximately 87 times. The sooner these drivers are taken off the road, the less destruction they can wreak.

Continue reading "48 DUI Suspects Arrested: April is Alcohol Awareness Month" »

More than 1,300 people suffer serious injuries and 16 people are killed every day due to accidents caused by distracted drivers (CDC). Distracted driving is taking one’s attention away from driving due to preoccupation with something else, such as using a mobile phone. In 2009, about 5,500 people were killed due to distracted driving in the U.S. alone (AZfamily 3/7/2011).

In a recent poll conducted by the U.S. Department of Transportation and Consumer Reports on distracted driving, it was found that 63% of those aged below 30 were guilty of distracted driving, being on their mobile phones or texting while driving. The rates were lower for those who were 30 and above. Only a small percentage of the younger population felt that driving while using a mobile phone was actually dangerous (AZfamily 3/7/2011).

Being distracted while driving increases the chance of crashing into another vehicle, resulting in injured people, or even death. Teens have the highest proportion of distracted driving (CDC). Researchers say the reasons are the teens’ lack of experience behind the wheel as well as peer pressure. Socialization plays a big role in distracted driving, as teens are becoming more conditioned into the habit of immediate responses to text messages and phone calls, even while driving.

The U.S. government is currently taking steps to halt this rampant problem by enacting laws, which are geared towards reducing this problem. Also, proper education through the family and school is being encouraged by the government.

Continue reading "Distracted Driving Accidents" »

Every 50 minutes, a life is lost due to a drunk driving accident in the U.S. (NHTSA, 2009). In Arizona, the Department of Public Safety and police departments reported that 7,756 car crashes every year involve a pedestrian or a drunk driver with a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of .01 or more (AZfamily, 3/15/11).

While a BAC of .01 may seem insignificant, individuals can react at different levels to alcohol, so even at this low level, some users can actually become significantly impaired.

As the celebration of St. Patrick’s Day approaches tomorrow, the Scottsdale Police Department has placed safety as a top priority during the event. Police officers will be out on DUI inspections at a checkpoint at Palm Lane and Scottsdale Road, from 7 p.m. to 3 a.m. The police will be paying special attention to drivers going southbound on Scottsdale Road, heading from Old Town bars and nightlife.

For every impaired driving fatality, Arizonans pay approximately $3.3 million in monetary and quality of life losses. If alcohol-related crashes in Arizona were reduced by even 10%, it would save $50 million annually in insurance costs.

If only to spare the financial implications of a drunk driving accident, please drink responsibly during your St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. AAA Arizona is again offering their free “Tipsy Tow” service starting at 6pm Thursday night through 6am on Friday. You don’t even have to be an AAA member—just call 1-800-AAA-HELP and say you need a “Tipsy Tow” and an AAA truck will provide a free one-way ride home within a 10 mile radius of the starting location.

Continue reading "Scottsdale Drunk Driver Checkpoint Planned for St. Patrick's Day" »

Almost 250,000 people have died in alcohol related accidents in the past 10 years (U.S. Dept of Transportation and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration). Added to that is the 11,773 drunk driving deaths that were recorded by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in 2008. 41 % of drivers involved in fatal crashes had a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.8 and above. Every 20 minutes, one life is lost in a vehicular crash.

The recent forced closure of the Carefree Highway in North Phoenix rooted from the serious head on collision between two cars that happened early this morning. The accident left two injured people.

Accordingly, just before 1 a.m., the 22-year-old female driver of the 2005 Kia Spectra was heading east along the Carefree Highway when suddenly another car hit her head-on.

Police have identified the 39-year-old female driver of the Black 2005 Mitsubishi Montero who hit the Kia, she was traveling the wrong way on the road leading her to crash into the other car. Investigators believe that the driver of the Mitsubishi was under the influence of the alcohol.

The two drivers were immediately brought to Valley Hospital. The driver of Kia was severely injured and in critical condition while the driver of Mitsubishi suffered only non-life threatening injuries.

To gather evidence and investigate properly the accident, the police officers of Phoenix had to close both lanes of Carefree Highway from 7th to 23rd Avenues for about 12 hours.

The high incidence of alcohol-related collisions has been of high concern for many years. Not only does it cost lives, but it also increases the cost of hospitalization. That’s why so many advocacy groups try to keep these drunk drivers off the road. Remember, even one drink is enough to impair your driving skills, so please don’t get behind the wheel if you’ve been drinking.

Continue reading "Head on Collision Injured Two People in Carefree Highway, North Phoenix" »

Despite persistent awareness campaigns and advocacy groups, alcohol continues to be a main reason for fatal car accidents. All over the world, fatal car accidents are said to be caused largely by alcohol influenced-drivers. In the U.S. alone, alcohol related car crashes comprise 22% of all major causes of car wrecks. Drivers in these situations are reported to have had the alcohol content of at least 0.8 in their blood stream.

A recent occurrence that attests to this fact happened in Phoenix. Carefree Highway, between Seventh and 23rd avenue, was closed off to westbound drivers last Wednesday morning due to a two-car collision.

At 12:40 a.m. a 39-year old woman was driving her 2005 Mitsubishi west in the eastbound lanes of the divided highway, when it clashed with a 22 year-old woman’s 2005 Kia Spectra.
The woman in the Kia was reported to have been immediately airlifted to a local hospital upon obtaining life-threatening injuries from the collision. She continues to be under extremely critical condition. The woman driving the Mitsubishi also suffered serious injuries, luckily they were not life threatening.

Sgt. Tommy Thompson of the Phoenix Police Department reported that investigators believed alcohol to be a major cause of the collision. Aerial footage of the wreck showed badly smashed cars and scattered debris blocking the roadway.

Did you know that even one drink is enough to impair your driving ability? While the legal blood-alcohol concentration level is .08, even a BAC of .04-.06 can result in impairment of reasoning, memory, and lower your cautiousness (Brad21.org). Behavior is also intensified at this BAC level, resulting in exaggerated actions. When behind the wheel, drivers must have complete control over their reasoning and behaviours—anything less than complete control can result in a deadly mistake.

Continue reading "Drunk Driver Causes Serious Injury Crash on Carefree Highway" »

A man was arrested earlier this week after endangering the lives of seven kids. In what could have led to another Mesa accident, the 23-year-old suspect was stopped and is accused of drunk driving with seven kids with ages ranging from 6 to 13 on board (AZ Central 02/22/11).

Mesa police say the person looking after the kids asked her good friend to drive them all home. Unfortunately, the driver was drunk. Further investigations revealed that his blood alcohol concentration was two times over the legal limit.

According to one of the kids, four of them sat at the backseat while the other three were stuffed inside the trunk of the drunk driver's sports car.

Luckily, the suspect was apprehended by police near Mesa Drive and Broadway Road and the terrified children were saved.

The person originally looking after the kids was present the whole time and was in fact the mother of two of the kids that were inside the trunk of the car.

Police added the suspect had been involved in a number of traffic incidents, one of which was a fatal hit-and-run accident and has previously been cited for DUI.

The driver faces seven counts of child endangerment and DUI and is now locked behind bars while the other adult faces child endangerment.

Continue reading "Mesa man arrested for DUI, 7 kids on board" »

20 percent of crashes in the United Stated are caused by drugged driving (Stop Drugged Driving). This accounts for roughly 8,600 deaths, 580,000 injuries and $33 billion in damages every year. In a national survey conducted by the NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System, it was reported that drugs were present more than 7 times as frequently as alcohol among weekend nighttime drivers in the U.S., with 16% testing positive for drugs, compared to 2% testing at or above the legal limit for alcohol. .

Drugged driving or driving under the influence of any drug, whether illegal, over-the-counter or prescription medications, poses dangers on the same level as drunk driving because there is always a risk that they may be misused and as a result, impair the normal brain functions. In fact, the elimination of drugged driving on the highways is deemed to be a national priority.

In Buckeye, four Hispanic males were taken into custody by the Department of Safety officers after a high-speed chase Wednesday morning (AZ Family 02/23/11). The chase began near the Buckeye area when the officer attempted to pull-over a white Pontiac due to a traffic violation. But the driver of the car did not stop. The pursuit ended on eastbound I-10 just east of Dysart Road.

The officers also recovered an estimated 150 pounds of marijuana inside the car. Further investigations are being conducted to know whether the driver was on drugs at the time of the chase, and the exact amount of the narcotics.

One effective policy to effectively prevent drugged driving is the “per se” standard. Approximately one-third of the states have adopted this policy, which says that any detectable amount of a controlled substance in a driver's body fluids constitutes per se evidence of a violation of "drugged driving."

Continue reading "150 lbs of Drugs Found After Vehicle Chase" »

As reported by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a total of 10,839 car accident fatalities involving alcohol impaired drivers happened in 2009. This is why drunk driving is still considered to be one of the major causes of traffic accidents, and fatalities, in the United States.

In 2008, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found an estimated 32 people die every day because of DUI-related accidents. During that same year, approximately 1.4 million drivers were arrested due to the same circumstances.

In Arizona, many innocent lives of motorists as well as pedestrians are lost every year due to impaired driving. On Wednesday, a Pinal County Assessor was arrested for driving under the influence in Casa Grande (KPHO 02/09/11). The incident happened last Monday when the Pinal County Sheriff received a tip through email that the Assessor had left the bar driving his car. When he was pulled over, he smelled heavily of alcohol and had watery eyes. The assessor was tested with a breathalyzer; his BAC content was 0.99, which is higher than the allowed BAC of 0.08 in Arizona. He was also submitted to a blood test but the results were not yet released.

Drunk driving accidents can easily be prevented with responsible drinking and driving. Concerned agencies have stepped up and are trying to put a stop against impaired driving in Arizona through the zero tolerance approach. But this strategy will not be successful if we do not help each other. It's about time that drivers start to become even more responsible when it comes to drinking and driving.

Continue reading "Pinal County Assessor Arrested for DUI" »

Did you know that a total of 10,839 deaths were recorded in 2009 involving Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) levels more than .08 - .32 percent (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Fatality Analysis Reporting System)? The legal limit is .08, but even driving with a BAC below the legal limit can leave drivers with symptoms of impairment. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention also estimated that 32 people die every day due to alcohol-related crashes.

Looking into the history of vehicular accidents involving alcohol-impaired drivers, we recognize that even though the number of fatalities has been declining steadily for the past few years, they are not low enough. In fact, car crashes are still considered to be one of the most common causes of fatalities for almost all age groups.

Sadly, even with the efforts of both the government and private sectors to lessen the number of car accidents injuries and fatalities caused by impaired driving, many people seem to continue to ignore the risks and dangers that DUIs present.

Everyone was heavily anticipating Super Bowl Sunday and when it opened, it brought with it the arrest of 13 drivers on suspicion of DUI in Prescott, Arizona (KPHO 2/6/11).

The Tri-City DUI Task Force, composed of twenty-two officers from six different agencies took part in an effort to reduce the number of drunk drivers on the road over the past weekend. From their command post in the intersection of Highway 89 and Highway 89A, they were briefed and patrolled in their designated areas.

It was reported that among the arrests, four cases were extreme DUI or having BAC of over .15 percent. The police reported that the average BAC of drivers arrested was .113 percent.

Tri-City DUI Task Force is an excellent initiative from the Prescott Police Department, Prescott Valley Police Department, Chino Valley Police Department, Clarkdale Police Department, Yavapai County Sheriff's Office, and the Cottonwood Police Department. This kind of strategy can be an effective way to help decrease the number of alcohol-impaired drivers on the roads who pose threats to everyone.

Continue reading "13 Drivers Arrested for Suspicion of DUI" »

A Phoenix man driving a stolen vehicle went into the hands of the authorities after being involved in a Mesa car accident last Thursday.

The 30 year old driver crashed in the area of 19th and Glendale avenues after being chased down by police (AZ Central 1/14/2011). Before the vehicle crash, an officer ran the car’s license plate and found out it had been reported stolen. The suspect was prompted to pull over but refused, and instead sped up, through several red lights and stop signs. The driver attempted to flee the vehicle but fell down on the scene. He was sent to a local hospital after sustaining injuries.

Officers found a screwdriver in the front seat and the car keys were missing. They also found drugs and drug paraphernalia in his pockets and field sobriety tests showed he was impaired. Further investigations reveal that he was also driving with a suspended license. The suspect will be charged with DUI, driving with a suspended license, possession of drugs and drug paraphernalia, theft, and unlawful flight. Fortunately, no others were injured due to this negligent driver’s choices.

In 2008, approximately 32 people died each day due to drunken driving accidents (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), making up 32 percent of all traffic-related deaths in the United States. More than 1.4 million drivers were also arrested for driving under the influence during that year. This goes to show that despite the obvious danger and increased awareness, impaired driving is still a prevalent problem in traffic safety.

Aside from alcohol, drugs such as marijuana and cocaine also play a major role in fatal vehicle crashes, accounting for 18 percent of recorded cases.

Continue reading "Man Faces Theft, DUI in Mesa Car Crash" »

Did you know that everyday 32 people in the United States die because of alcohol impaired driving accidents according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)? An in depth look into the history of vehicle crashes involving alcohol impaired drivers reveals that although the numbers are steadily decreasing in the recent years, the families that lose their loved ones every year can tell you that they are never low enough. In 2009, the National Highway Traffic Safety administration recorded a total of 10,839 deaths involving drivers with blood alcohol concentration exceeding the legal limit of .08 – 32 percent of traffic accident fatalities in the US.

Despite being one of the most common causes of car accidents, many people seem to ignore the dangers that go with drunken driving. As reported by KPHO (01/03/2011), more than 3500 DUI arrests were made in Arizona in only a span of several weeks; a clear statement that alcohol involved traffic accidents are still a major problem.

This statewide effort to arrest drivers suspected of DUI began during the Thanksgiving holiday and ended New Year's Day. Exact numbers reached 3,534 DUI arrests, more than a thousand less compared to last year.

Continue reading "Over 3500 Arizona DUI Arrests Made Statewide" »