NHTSA Launches Annual Holiday ‘Drive Sober’ Campaign
A Las Vegas Car Accident Attorney Provides Details
Drunk drivers are a danger on the road, in Las Vegas, and throughout the state of Nevada. But despite laws against drunk driving, people still get behind the wheel after having too much alcohol to drink, especially around the holidays. This results in car accidents that leave people seriously injured or killed.
That’s why the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is launching its annual holiday season “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” enforcement campaign. The effort works with local law enforcement by using social media to educate drivers and riders on the impact and consequences of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
A National Problem
According to the NHTSA, across the country, 10,142 people were killed in drunk driving crashes in 2019. This accounts for a third of all traffic accident fatalities that year. That averages to one person being killed by drunk driving every 52 minutes. And from 2015 to 2019, there were more than 10,000 people killed in such crashes each year.
There is often an increase in drunk driving during the holidays. In 2019, there were more than 210 drunk driving fatalities during the Christmas and New Year’s Day period – more traffic deaths than any other holiday period that year. During the entire month of December, there were 837 drunk driving fatalities.
The campaign includes downloadable graphics with drive sober messages that can be shared on social media platforms.
The NHTSA recommends several safe alternatives to driving drunk:
- Designate a sober driver or plan to get a ride home, even if you’ve only had one alcoholic beverage.
- Use one of your area’s sober ride programs.
- Use rideshare services such as Uber and Lyft, public transportation, or a taxi/shuttle service.
- Contact the police if you see a drunk driver on the road.
- Take the keys away from a friend who plans to drive after drinking and arrange for a ride.
Crash victims need experienced legal representation
Alcohol and other drugs can severely impair driving skills. Reaction times are slowed and drivers are less able to make good decisions. When there’s a crash, people can be seriously injured and need medical treatment. Medical expenses add up quickly, and victims may not be able to work, resulting in financial stress.
In Nevada, a driver is considered impaired if they have a blood alcohol limit of .08 – but drivers can be arrested and convicted of drunk driving with a lower BAC reading. The consequences for drunk drivers who are arrested include loss of license, jail time, and thousands of dollars in fines, attorney’s fees, and higher insurance rates.
Victims of drunk drivers deserve financial compensation, but the process can be complicated. Drunk drivers often fight legal charges and deny responsibility. Insurance companies are supposed to help, but they look for ways to minimize compensation to protect profits. They’ll question the seriousness of your injuries or make a lowball settlement offer.
If you’ve been hurt in a drunk driving crash in Las Vegas, Lasso Injury Law LLC can help. Attorney Al Lasso knows how to build strong cases that hold drunk drivers accountable. He investigates your accident to get the facts and fights for the compensation you deserve. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Las Vegas car accident lawyer.
