Colorado Springs Law Firm Warns Community Of Drunk Driving Over Holiday Season
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., Dec. 24, 2012 /PRNewswire-iReach/ -- December has been designated as "National Drunk And Drugged Driving Prevention Month" in an attempt to raise awareness about the dangers of driving under the influence. The Law Offices of McDowell, Laybourne & Rodemer joins in reminding the Colorado community of the potential life-changing consequences of a DUI or a DUID (drugs).
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It is notable that drugged driving has been included as part of the awareness program. It shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone who has seen recent statistic from Institute of Behavior and Health (IBH).
For example, the IBH reports:
- Conservative estimates show that 20% of crashes in the U.S. are caused by drugged driving. This translates into about 6,761 deaths, 440,000 injuries and $59.9 billion in costs each year.
- In a national survey, 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.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) which tracks drunk driving fatality data, the number of alcohol-impaired driving fatalities in Colorado is on the rise compared to last year. The Law Offices of McDowell, Laybourne & Rodemer notes that the reported 34% increase in drunk driving fatalities show that in spite of awareness programs, Colorado residents continue to drive drunk at a alarming rate.
According to Joshua McDowell, a senior partner at the firm:
"December is one of the busiest months for drunk driving arrests throughout Colorado. Dozens of local police agencies and the Colorado State Patrol step up DUI patrols during the holidays as part of the 'Heat is on Holiday DUI Crackdown.' Although the idea behind the program is to deter drunk drivers and create awareness, the additional patrols have not seemed to slow down drunk drivers. In fact, over Thanksgiving in 2011, CDOT reported that 435 DUI arrests were made in Colorado, up from 363 arrests over the same time period the year before.
So, although it's hard to say if there is any increased drunk driving awareness in Colorado, there has certainly been an increase in arrests. The sheer number of arrests tells me the importance of planning ahead and designating a sober driver. Obviously, this is good advice any time of the year."
If historical trends continue, it is expected that the number of drunk driving-related accidents and fatalities will increase during the Holiday season of 2012. The Law Offices of McDowell, Laybourne & Rodemer hopes that Coloradans will make safer choices about driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs.
The Law Offices of McDowell, Laybourne & Rodemer represent accident victims in drunk driving cases who have been injured through the negligence of others. Our law firm also represents criminal and drunk driving (DUI/DWAI) cases in Colorado Springs, Denver, and throughout Colorado. When looking for an attorney, Colorado residents can count on our law firm for high quality and ethical legal representation. Call (719) 227-0022 to speak with an experienced Colorado attorney about your case. In every case we offer a free, no-obligation consultation.
Media Contact: Joshua Mcdowell McDowell Laybourne & Rodemer, (719) 227-0022, [email protected]
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SOURCE McDowell Laybourne & Rodemer
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