DUI Prevention Checklist.
In 2007 alone, more than 13,000 wrongful deaths were caused by drunk driving accidents. Despite that alarming number, car drivers continue to drink and drive. On that note, this checklist from our car accident lawyers has simple tips to help prevent you from drinking, driving and causing an auto accident.
1. Do not drink and drive.
- This is the easiest way to prevent drunk drivers from causing auto accidents.
- If you never drive under the influence of alcohol, you can guarantee that you will never cause a DUI car crash.
2. Know the risks of drunk driving.
3. Make arrangements for a designated driver before you go out.
- Aside from not drinking at all, this is the best defense against drunk driving.
4. Avoid binge drinking.
- Binge drinking is defined as drinking a high amount of alcohol in a short period of time.
- Binge drinking involves drinking five or more drinks, but alcohol may be more intoxicating for some than others.
- Binge drinking is very common among teens and young adults. These same adolescents may not know about alcohol’s effects on the body like diminished reflexes and decreased muscle coordination and are more apt to cause drunk driving car accidents.
5. Beware of sweet drinks.
- While they may not taste strong, there is often an equal or higher alcohol content (proof) in fruity mixed drinks.
- Fruity mixed drinks can have several different kinds of alcohol.
- Alcohol affects your body no matter how good or bad it tastes.
6. Take a taxi.
- Not every night is a planned drinking night, and you might find yourself on an island: stuck at the bar with only yourself to drive home. Thankfully, all bars can set you up with a cab ride home.
- While it may seem like a lot at the time, a $40 cab fare is nothing compared to what you could lose in a DUI car accident.
7. When in doubt, DO NOT DRIVE!
- If you ever have to question your ability to drive after a night out, do not do it.
- Call a cab or call a friend, but never drive under the influence of alcohol.
Click Here for a Printable Version of the DUI Prevention Checklist
Call our San Diego law firm now at 1-800-655-6585 for a FREE consultation with an experienced car accident lawyer or click here to submit your case for a FREE online review. We have a large bilingual staff that can assist you in either English or Spanish.
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Last week, we reported on a car accident in San Diego that resulted out of alleged teen street racing. In new developments, the 18-year-old driver charged with the death of the two teenagers involved in the street racing has pleaded not guilty to vehicular manslaughter among four other charges according to reports at the San Diego Union Tribune. The news follows the earlier arrest of another 16-year-old driver that was taken into custody on similar charges.
Just shortly after his arraignment, Michael Johnson, the 18-year-old driver of a Volvo S40, said, according to his attorney, that he is not the responsible party in the tragic San Diego accident fatalities that occurred April 4.
Accident reports indicate that Johnson was returning from a spring break beach party in La Jolla when he was allegedly involved in a street racing contest with another teen driver – the unidentified 16-year-old driver of a Volkswagen Passat whose name has not been released since he is a minor. According to Deputy District Attorney Kristen Spieler, the two vehicles were zigzagging across lanes at speeds reaching up to a staggering 100 m.p.h. The 16-year-old driver in the Passat lost control over the vehicle, causing the car to flip over several times across multiple lanes of the road.
Two passengers, Anthony Foreman, 18, and Jayli Campbell, 16, were thrown from the Passat and died at the scene of the accident. Two passengers survived the crash. Charlotte McQuillen, survived the accident although she suffered serious injury as a result of the collision including reports that say the teen will have to recover from traumatic brain injury. Anthoney Taylor, 16, also survived the crash although his injuries are unclear at this time.
Johnson did not flee the scene of the accident according to police reports and cooperated with authorities once officers assessed the scene of the collision. The teen has no prior criminal record, although authorities say his vehicle was found containing a small amount of marijuana. Johnson is being charged with intoxicated driving, although his lawyer says there were no field sobriety tests to confirm the teen’s alleged intoxication.
Teen driving: reminders for concerned parents
Last week, we blogged on actions parents can take to prevent teen car accidents. Tips include:
- Sign a parent-teen contract. Download your free contract now.
- Enforcing the rules. Every teen driver needs to know that rules are there for a purpose, and when they are broken, consequences will follow.
- Have a DUI backup plan. As most parents can attest, there are many instances when teen drivers run into problems that supersede their know-how and maturity. Drinking is one of those problems. In cases of emergency, your teen should have an open-door policy where they feel safe to call you when they need help – such in the case of drunk driving or driving while intoxicated.
About the Law Offices of Michael Pines, APC
The Law Offices of Michael Pines, APC are specialists in
car accident injury. Every personal injury attorney in our San Diego office works hard to seek maximum recovery for every injured client. Your case is handled without any out-of-pocket costs, so do not hesitate to speak to a
San Diego personal injury lawyer today for a free legal evaluation. Call us at 1-800-655-6585.
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