Drinking and Driving Takes its Toll in San Diego
Nearly 500 people were jailed for driving under the influence in San Diego over a 10-day period near the end of 2009. This number is a huge increase since last year's 323 DUI arrests made during the same period, according to statistics taken by the statewide anti-drunk-driving program called AVOID.
It seems drunk driving is out of hand in San Diego, especially around the holidays, and is the cause of many fatal car accidents . Twenty-two people died in traffic accidents over the holiday weekend, including a pedestrian struck by a sport utility vehicle and a motorcyclist riding without a helmet. Eight of the 22 who died were not wearing seatbelts.
Frightening Trends Emerge in Teen Driving
Car crashes in San Diego have been of high concern since before the holidays, however. Eight young people, ages 16 to 20 have died in reckless car crashes since September in San Diego. More recently, a cheerleader from Poway High School and another young man who had just turned 18 both died in separate DUI-related accidents.
The 17-year-old cheerleader texted her friend, "I'm hammered," but proceeded to drive. Within 90 minutes she had lost control of her SUV and rolled over several times. Six hours later, the 18-year-old young man was passenger in a car that hit a tree. The driver of the vehicle was intoxicated, and though he survived, now faces manslaughter and DUI charges.
According to NBC San Diego news, the Sheriff's Department has stepped up enforcement of laws governing teen drivers in order to try to break this trend.
A new program entitled "Lose Your License, Lose Your Car, Lose Your Life" has been implemented. Some of its regulations includes increased curfew checks, enforced bans on cell phones while driving, restrictions on who can ride with teen drivers, restricted unsupervised driving hours, and increased enforcement of laws that prevent adults from providing alcohol to minors.
Designated Drivers are Not Enough to Keep the Roads Safe
The need to stop drinking-and-driving amongst youth in San Diego is appropriate and necessary in order to avoid personal injury and death. Unfortunately, older tips like finding a sober "designated" driver seem undependable lately, like in the case of a 30-year-old "designated driver" who caused a fatal accident while driving home from an employee holiday party.
The 30-year-old man had said he would be the sober driver so his passenger could drink safely. After leaving the party, the driver was intoxicated and drove his Infiniti into a Volkswagon at the intersection of Genesee Ave and North Torrey Pines Road. Both cars burst into flames upon impact, killing the driver of the Volkwagon. The driver of the Infiniti was arrested for vehicular manslaughter and his passenger sustained minor injuries.
Law enforcement authorities and San Diego accident attorneys urge the public to help keep streets safe. San Diego residents are advised to call 911 if they see swerving cars and dangerous driving.
For more information about San Diego car accident lawyers, read "The Seven Fatal Mistakes That Can Wreck Your Personal Injury Claim" by California personal injury attorney John Bisnar. The book is free to accident victims -- just go to www.BestAttorneyBooks.com to get a copy sent to you, or you can buy one at www.Amazon.com. Please contact California car accident lawyers by calling 800-561-4887.
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