Newport Beach Car Accidents Caused by Above-Average DUIs

Among the wealthiest communities in the country, Newport Beach in Orange County, California, has a population of 85,000 with a higher than average number of fast sports cars, stylish bars and sports clubs. Regrettably, it also has a higher percentage of motorists who drive while intoxicated, causing numerable Newport Beach car accidents.

"Newport Beach, in 2005, topped the state in its population category (50,000-100,000) for DUI auto collisions," observed nationally recognized Newport Beach car accident attorneyJohn Bisnar, founding partner of the BISNAR | CHASE law firm.

In 2006, Newport Beach residents comprised 30 percent of all DUI arrests. That same year, the California Highway Patrol's Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS) reported that DUI car accidents were responsible for three deaths and 70 injuries. Throughout California, 39 percent of all traffic deaths (1,596) involved alcohol in 2006.

In 2007, the Newport Beach Police Department arrested 538 motorists for driving under influence--up from 385 in 2005. Among those arrested was Former Oakland A's pitcher Matt Keough. Newport Beach police officers found Keough, 52, drinking at the Fashion Island Marriott hotel after concerned hotel staff called authorities. Keough had pled guilty in 2005 to driving under the influence with a blood alcohol level of .08% or more causing injury. His probationary terms forbade him from consuming any alcohol.

To lower its auto accident rate, the Newport Beach implemented a "No Tolerance for DUI Offenders" policy, combining education and enforcement. A police car and police officers were assigned to enforce speeding, DUI and red-light violations. Newport Beach's ongoing education and enforcement efforts include sobriety checkpoints and DUI patrols. The goal is to reduce the number of Newport Beach car collisions, injuries and fatalities throughout the city.

Newport Beach Police conducted 31 field sobriety tests in January 2009. Almost 800 cars made their way through the checkpoint on northbound Jamboree Road lanes at Santa Barbara Drive. The result was 13 DUI arrests, one of which was a juvenile. In addition, police cited six drivers for various offenses, including citations for driving with an expired license and failure to wear a seat belt. Police also impounded 14 cars, which were towed.

"There were 16,885 fatalities in alcohol-related car crashes during 2005," noted John Bisnar. "This represents an average of one alcohol-related fatality every 31 minutes. DUI drivers are clearly a menace on the road. They require treatment and intervention."

Newport Beach Car Accident Attorney

Be on the Hit-and-Run Lookout

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BISNAR | CHASE 2006-2010 Super Lawyers names outstanding lawyers from more than 60 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. BISNAR | CHASE has received this award for five consecutive years. Brian Chase was named one of the 2010 Top 50 Orange County Lawyers.