Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog
Since the beginning of the economic downturn, authorities are seeing fewer drunk driving accidents in Illinois and elsewhere, according to FOX News. A recently released federal study, conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), surveyed more than 450,000 people and reported the lowest recorded number of drunk driving incidents since 1993.
The survey reported that we’ve seen a 30 percent drop since 2006, which was the peak period of these incidents.
According to the CDC there were 112 million drunk driving episodes last year. Many experts believe that the economy was a large contributor to this dip. Still 112 million drunk drivers on our roads is a far cry from clear sailing.Our Chicago drunk driving accident attorneys understand that we could potentially see a whole lot more drunk driving accidents in the state with the holiday season approaching. Many residents and visitors head out over Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s to visit friends and family members. Unfortunately, a lot of these gatherings involve alcohol. And a lot of these events can turn deadly when it’s time to call it a night and many of these impaired individuals get into their vehicles to drive home.
One important finding in the survey is that there was not a significant drop in the amount of alcohol that Americans were drinking. According to the survey’s results, nearly 2 percent of the country’s population reported to have driven at least once while intoxicated in the last 30 days.
“The four million adults who drink and drive each year put everyone on the road at risk,” said Dr. Thomas R. Frieden, CDC director.
Other findings in the CDC’s survey:
-Men accounted for more than 80 percent of the country’s drinking and driving accidents.
-Men ages 21- to 34-years-old accounted for more than 30 percent of all drinking and driving accidents even though in 2010 these individuals made up approximately 10 percent of the country’s population.
-Binge drinkers are much more likely to drive after drinking.
-In the U.S., residents of the Midwest region were the most likely to drink and drive as they reported the most confessions.
According to the CDC, there were nearly 11,000 people who were killed in alcohol-related traffic accidents in 2009. These incidents accounted for roughly a third of all roadway fatalities during that year.
During the holiday season, we can expect to see more DUI checkpoints and more patrolling officers on our roadways to help combat the problem. We’re asking all residents to celebrate responsibly throughout the rest of the year.
If you think you’ve spotted a drunk driver on our roadways, the Illinois State Police ask that you give the nearest State Police Headquarters a call. Make sure you have the location of the vehicle and the direction it’s traveling, a description of the driver if possible and the make, model and color of the vehicle. Officers would appreciate the license plate number, but ask that you stay away from the vehicle to avoid an accident.
If you or someone you love has been involved in a car accident with an intoxicated driver, the personal injury attorneys and wrongful death lawyers at Abels & Annes offer you a free and confidential appointment to discuss your rights. Call (866) 99-ABELS. There is no fee unless you win.
More Blog Entries:
Local Celebs Participate in Demonstration to Raise Awareness of Drunk Driving Accidents in Illinois, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, September 13, 2011
Windy City Drivers Among the Nation’s Worst — Chicago Car Accidents Often Result, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, September 12, 2011