NHTSA Releases Alcohol-Impaired Driving Statistics for 2016

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Attorney Grant Travis | Travis Law Firm | Personal Injury Attorney, DUI Defense Attorney, Criminal Defense Attorney | Serving Erie, Crawford, Warren & all of Northwestern PA | Call the Travis Law Firm at 814-277-2222 today!

Last month, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released its Traffic Safety Facts for alcohol-impaired driving in 2016. According to the information provided by the NHTSA:

  • 10,497 people died in 2016 in drunk driving accidents.
  • Alcohol-impaired driving crashes were responsible for 28 percent of all traffic-related fatalities for 2016.
  • 327 people died in Pennsylvania in 2016 in crashes involving drivers with a BAC of .08 or higher.
  • Of the fatalities in DUI accidents during the year, 6,479 (62%) of the people who died were drivers whose BAC was .08 or higher, 3,070 (29%) were other occupants, and 948 (9%) were non-occupants.
  • Deaths from DUI accidents increased during 2016 by 1.7 percent from 2015.
  • 214 children were killed in DUI crashes during 2016.
  • 70 percent of DUI crashes occur when it is dark outside.
  • The month with the most alcohol-related fatal crashes during 2015 was July with 9.5 percent, followed by May and October, both with 9.1 percent of the crashes.

For the full report, you can visit the NHTSA website.

Avoiding Alcohol-Impaired Driving Accidents

With the holiday season approaching, it is important that you are aware of the dangers and consequences of drunk driving. In addition to putting your life and the lives of all others on the road in jeopardy, you also face severe criminal penalties if you are convicted of a DUI in Pennsylvania. To avoid a drunk driving charge this holiday season, you should:

  • Never get behind the wheel of a vehicle after consuming alcohol.
  • Appoint a designated driver for your group before you go out to clubs, bars, parties, or anywhere alcohol will be served.
  • Make arrangements for a ride home before you leave home. This may include appointing a designated driver, arranging a ride with a friend or family member, or planning to take a cab, bus, or other form of public transportation.
  • If you are serving alcohol to holiday guests, limit drinks to an appropriate amount. Stop serving alcoholic beverages a couple of hours before the end of your party — switch to non-alcoholic drinks. Have a plan in place to provide transportation to any guest who has had too much to drink.
  • If you notice a driver who might be drunk, slow down and put additional room between your vehicle and the other vehicle. Never confront a suspected drunk driver, instead contact local law enforcement officers.
  • Remind teen drivers of the dangers of drunk driving and how to spot a drunk driver. Make sure your teenagers know they can call you for a ride if they or their friends have had too much to drink.

Contact a Pennsylvania DUI Attorney for a Free Appointment

If you have been charged with DUI, you need an experienced DUI attorney to represent you. You could be facing severe penalties, including fines, jail time, license suspension, alcohol education classes, and ignition locks if you are convicted of driving under the influence.  Do not place take a chance with your future — hire an attorney who understands how to defend a DUI charge.

Call The Travis Law Firm at (800) 401-2066 to schedule a free legal consultation with an experienced Erie DUI defense attorney.