You’re not going to be alone on our state’s highways and byways this Labor Day holiday weekend. Not only are more than 43 million Americans expected to travel more than 50 miles to their Labor Day vacation destination, but there will also be roughly 250 local and state law enforcement agencies that will be on the lookout for dangerous drivers as a part of the national “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign, according to the Kokomo Tribune.Our Highland car accident lawyers understand that close to 90 percent of the travelers this year will be getting to their destination by motor vehicle. There are more travelers this year than any other year since September of 2008. In 2011, there were roughly 140 people killed in traffic accidents that involved a drunk driver in the state of Indiana. Of the close to 5,000 alcohol-related accidents that happened on our state’s roadways in 2010, about 30 percent resulted in injury or death.
“AAA is forecasting a lift in Labor Day travel this year due to the increasingly positive economic outlook and optimism in the housing market,” president and CEO Robert Darbelnet said.
In the state of Indiana, drivers should expect:
-Officers to conduct sobriety checkpoints in attempt to get drunk drivers off of our roadways.
-Law enforcement officials to be on the lookout for drivers who are displaying dangerous driving habits, including speeding, tailgating and unsafe lane changes.
-Officers checking to make sure that every vehicle occupant is properly buckled it.
According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), there were close to 140 people who were killed in drunk driving accidents over the 2011 Labor Day weekend.
Staying sober behind the wheel can not only save you money, but it can save your life. The average cost of a drunk driving conviction is just over $10,000.00, not to mention the police record that you’ll have. And as deadly as they can be, alcohol-related car accidents took a life every 53 minutes in 2011. Close to 10,000 people were killed in these accidents throughout the entire year in the U.S.
If your holiday festivities involve drinking, make sure that they also involve a designated driver. If you don’t have one of those, remember that there are other safe (and sober) ways to get home. Call a taxi, use public transportation, call a friend or family member to come get you or stay where you are. The risks just aren’t worth it — whether it’s monetary loss of a bust or the loss of a human life in an accident.
You can also lend a helping hand by calling and reporting drivers who you believe to be intoxicated behind the wheel. Call 9-1-1 or your local law enforcement and provide them with the vehicle, driver and location information. Your call can help to save a life.
Impaired driving is no accident – nor is it a victimless crime. It’s not easy to tell when you’ ve had way too many, but even one too many means you shouldn’t drive.
Burton A. Padove handles drunk driving injury cases throughout northern Indiana, including Gary, Hammond and Calumet City.
More Blog Entries:
Increase in Intoxicated Pedestrian Accidents in Focus, Indiana Injury and Family Lawyer Blog, August 10, 2013
Indiana DUI Injuries, Deaths Could Drop if Lower BAC Gains Support, Indiana Injury and Family Lawyer Blog, May 23, 2013