Today, the Dallas Morning News reported a woman, who was seen driving with her hands behind her head, caused a fatal car accident while headed the wrong way down Interstate 35. The woman, who had her six-month old daughter in the back seat of her SUV, was allegedly intoxicated at the time.
The tragic story serves as a reminder of the dangers of driving while intoxicated during the holiday season. Drunk driving crashes will reach their peak over the next six weeks. This time also marks the five year anniversary of the Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Campaign to End Drunk Driving.
The campaign has focused its efforts on supporting sobriety checkpoints, lobbying states to enact legislation that requires convicted drunk drivers to use an ignition interlock device as well as supporting research aimed at creating technology that would make it impossible for impaired drivers to start their cars.
The campaign has been effective, particularly with its lobbying efforts. Since its inception, 32 states have adopted laws requiring the use ignition interlock devices. Still, the laws do not prevent all impaired drivers from getting behind the wheel.
While drunk driving fatalities has been reduced by over 40 percent in the thirty years since MADDs creation, our national death toll from drunken driving accidents remains at a staggering 11,000 people each year.
Even when a drunk driving car wreck isn’t fatal, it can often cause serious injuries. Dallas DWI accident attorneys routinely provide families with legal advice when their loved ones are hurt.
Holiday travelers can take extra measures to ensure their safety. Texas drivers can help themselves avoid trouble by ensuring taking simple steps to stay safe this season. Before going out, merry-makers should select a designated driver. When out on the town, people should avoid binge drinking and prevent friends and family who have been drinking from driving. Anyone buzzed or on the fence about their level of intoxication should call a cab. Nothing is worth losing a life. Following these tips will help ensure everyone enjoys a happy holiday.
Source: www.fastlane.dot.gov, “MADD’s Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving” Marks Five Years of Results” 25 November 2011, Ray LaHood
