Super Bowl Sunday Responsible for Huge Gains in Drunk Driving Accidents

Every Super Bowl Sunday, football fans congregate to watch the game, have a couple of drinks, and enjoy their company.  But did you know that this time honored tradition could also be one of your last?  According to the Automobile Club of Southern California, Super Bowl Sunday is also the "Super Bowl" of accidents.  According to their data, Super Bowl Sunday is responsible for 75% more drunk driving related accidents in California.

The Data Supporting the Super Bowl Sunday Statistics

According to the Automobile Club of Southern California, this 75% increase in accidents represents a significant increase from years prior.  In 2004, the organization released a study tracking California drunk driving accidents from 1994 to 2002, finding these accidents were 41% more likely to happen on Super Bowl Sunday.  In a recent update to that study, the Automobile Club of Southern California found that between the years 2002-2011, there were a staggering 642 alcohol- related car crashes in California on game day.  If alcohol were not a significant factor, then there would be approximately 276 fewer car crashes on that Sunday.  It's clear that because of the nature of the big game and the frequency of the hosted parties which included alcohol, there are significantly higher amounts of car crashes. 

The Danger of Drunk Driving Accidents

Drunk driving accidents can be extremely dangerous to not only the driver of the vehicle, but also to other motorists.  When a driver gets behind the wheel of an automobile after drinking, he or she takes others' lives in their hands.  Even if the drunk driver doesn't kill other motorists, he or she runs the risk of injuring others including: 

• broken bones, fractures
• internal organ damage
• severe burns
• traumatic brain injury
• spinal cord injury
• back injury
• blindness
• paraplegia
• quadriplegia
• coma
• death

Drunk driving accidents can change someone's life in the blink of an eye.  This game day, make sure you have a sober driver or a cab lined up if you drink.  If you are the victim of a drunk driving accident, please get medical attention on scene.  And call a skilled personal injury attorney to preserve your rights and to obtain the compensation you deserve.  

Survey Finds Drugged Driving Doubles the Risk of Drunk Driving

California Highway Patrol officers are worried.  A recent voluntary survey concluded that 1 in 7 drivers tested positive for drugs, including marijuana, in their system.  In comparison, only 7.3% of drivers had any measurable amount of alcohol in their system.  This voluntary test offered drivers $20 to blow into a breathalyzer and give a saliva sample to police offers.  Over 1300 people were voluntarily pulled over during the course of 2 weekends this summer during the late night hours. 

In the wee hours of the morning after the bars close and before motorists get home, it's no surprise that officers caught more than they hoped for.  But it is surprising that 14% of motorists were on at least one drug, with many having 2 or more in their system while they were on the road.

The director of the Office of Traffic Safety, Chris Murphy, concluded "These results reinforce our belief that driving after consuming potentially impairing drugs is a serious and growing problem."

How Dangerous Is Driving on Drugs?

Many activist groups in favor of legalization for drugs such as marijuana argue that their substance of choice is not harmful to others, or that it is somehow less harmful than alcohol. But if this many motorists are driving around late at night with toxic chemicals in their system, their driving is impaired enough that they could potentially kill someone.

Drivers with drugs in their system are driving impaired.  Whether this drug is a narcotic or a prescription drug, drivers can experience slowed reactions or fall asleep at the wheel.  These drivers can cause serious and life threatening accidents for not only themselves and their passengers, but to other motorists as well.

If You've Been Injured in an Impaired Driving Accident

If you've been injured in an accident where the other driver was impaired, your entire life could have changed.  Not only could you be in pain, but your financial health could be suffering as well.  Driving while impaired is illegal and you could be entitled to equitable relief.  You should call a skilled personal injury attorney today to discuss how you can obtain relief.