Drunk Drivers Continue to Plague California Roadways

Every year, thousands of Americans are killed in motor vehicle collisions. In an alarming number of these incidents, the fatalities are caused by reckless driving. While speeding and aggressive driving are common dangerous driving behaviors, the form of reckless driving that has the most impact is driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Here in the state of California, drunk driving has become alarmingly common, and thousands of people are seriously injured or killed in drunk driving accidents each year. According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, 3,623 Californians died in motor vehicle collisions throughout 2016 alone. Just under 30% of all traffic fatalities throughout California in 2016 involved drivers with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08 or higher. In all, 1,059 Californians were killed in 2016 due to the negligent actions of drunk drivers. If you or a loved one are injured due to the recklessness of a drunk driver, you should be sure to understand your options for pursuing compensation.

Despite the admirable efforts of law enforcement officials to end the practice within the state of California, drunk driving is seemingly on the rise. In 2016, Californians witnessed a 16% increase in annual drunk driving fatalities. Even more concerning is the fact that drunk driving disproportionately impacts young drivers. Studies conducted by the California Office of Traffic Safety found that drunk driving is the leading cause of death among Californians aged 15 to 24.

Despite increased safety measures, such as higher numbers of highway patrolmen and regular DUI checkpoints, drunk drivers continue to endanger every traveler on California’s roadways. Considering the fact that drunk driving continues to rise statewide, many drivers wonder what they can do to increase their safety.

To start, all drivers should ensure that their passengers (including themselves) are utilizing their seatbelt restraint systems. Other protective measures include looking out for symptoms of aggressive driving and maintaining a safe distance from vehicles that are traveling at excessive speeds, recklessly passing, or swerving on the road. Lastly, if you see signs of drunk driving, it is critically important to contact your local law enforcement. Notifying the police about drunk drivers can save your life and the lives of others.

Here at Corsiglia McMahon & Allard, L.L.P., our team of personal injury attorneys understand how traumatic a car accident can be for the whole family. A motor vehicle collision can cause severe physical injuries and emotional trauma down the line. If you or a member of your family has suffered injuries in a motor vehicle accident, it is critically important to contact a legal professional you can trust. To set up a free consultation with a San Jose drunk driving accident attorney, call us today at 408-289-1417.