Understanding Drunk Driving: Risks, Statistics, and Preventive Measures
The Impact of Drunk Driving in Oregon: A Legal Perspective
Drunk driving is a grave issue that wreaks havoc not only on the perpetrator but also significantly impacts innocent bystanders. It remains one of the primary reasons for fatalities and injuries on our roadways annually, resulting in countless lives lost or permanently altered. In this article, we delve into some alarming drunk driving statistics and share some crucial preventative measures to curb this menace.
Statistics
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports an appalling figure of over 10,000 people losing their lives in alcohol-induced car accidents across the United States in 2018 alone. This statistic makes up nearly 30% of all traffic-related deaths that year. In addition, approximately 300,000 individuals are injured every year due to drunk driving collisions.
Age plays a significant role too; adults between the ages of 25–34 have more than double the likelihood compared to those aged 16–20 to be involved in fatal crashes involving alcohol. That said, younger drivers aren’t immune to these risks either; data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows underaged drivers constituted about 17% of all fatalities from alcohol-imposed accidents back in 2018.
Prevention Tips
The most foolproof method to avoid drunk driving is simply abstaining from mixing alcohol with operating a vehicle — however there are other steps you can take:
- Plan ahead — Ensure you have safe transportation arranged before heading out for drinks.
- Be responsible — If someone appears intoxicated, prevent them from getting behind the wheel by arranging alternative transportation.
- Stay vigilant — Keep an eye out for erratic behavior from other drivers which may indicate impairment.
- Alert authorities — Call emergency services if you suspect another driver might be impaired while on the road.
Injuries From Drunk Driving
In Oregon specifically, injuries inflicted by drunk drivers can be life-altering for victims and their loved ones. The Oregon Department of Transportation reports that alcohol-related crashes accounted for 27% of all traffic fatalities in the state during 2020. When such incidents occur, victims can seek compensation from the responsible driver. In certain situations, they might also have a case against the establishment that served alcohol to the drunk driver.
This is where Oregon’s dram shop laws come into effect. These regulations hold venues like bars or taverns accountable if they serve alcohol to visibly intoxicated patrons who subsequently cause harm to others. If a person gets injured by an intoxicated driver who was over-served at a bar, they may file a claim against that establishment under these laws. An adept Oregon drunk driving injury attorney can guide victims through this process and help them secure appropriate compensation.
Conclusion
Drunk driving remains a severe issue with potentially catastrophic outcomes — both legally and personally — but it doesn’t need to be this way! By adhering to prevention tips and planning ahead when consuming alcohol socially, we can collectively reduce these risks and make our roads safer for everyone.
This article is re-published with permission from Pacific Injury Law Firm, a Portland, Oregon personal injury law firm, and is available in original form at Understanding Drunk Driving: Risks, Statistics, and Preventive Measures.
