Every year, thousands of people die due to alcohol and drug related motor vehicle accidents. To combat the problem of auto accident fatalities, many communities and courts have set up substance abuse treatment programs. An important question to be considered is whether substance abuse programs and other measures really reduce auto accidents and prevent motor vehicle accident related fatalities.
Studies indicate that in communities where substance abuse programs have been established, the number of automobile accidents has declined anywhere from 8 to 13 percent. While these results are encouraging, it remains the case that there are over 30,000 motor vehicle fatalities in the U.S. annually with over 30% being alcohol or drug related. A variety of measures have been implemented to discourage people from driving while high or intoxicated. These measures include implementation of alcohol taxes, bans on Sunday alcohol sales, drivers license revocation, ignition interlock programs and teen license restrictions.
Every year, over 2 million people are treated in substance abuse facilities for alcohol and drug addiction. For those that are seriously addicted, the impact of these programs can be significant. Besides the direct impact on auto accident fatality rates, there are other potential indirect affects on car crash rates associated with increases in self-confidence, improved mental stability, and improvement in coping with stress at home or work.
With the number of deaths resulting from fatal auto accidents, the state and federal government has implemented measures designed to reduce fatal accidents caused by drivers impaired by drugs and alcohol. This includes a variety of legal measures including:
- Mandatory seat belt laws
- Stricter enforcement of speed limits and DUI laws
- Zero tolerance alcohol laws for teen drivers
- Dram shop laws that impose liability on those who furnish alcohol
- Stricter DUI penalties
- Use of sobriety checkpoints
- Creation of dry counties
- Increased taxes on alcohol
Drivers impaired by drugs and alcohol are still responsible for far too many Mississippi auto accidents resulting in catastrophic injuries and wrongful death throughout Mississippi. Impaired driving car crashes are especially disheartening because they are completely avoidable. If you or someone you love has been seriously injured in a car accident with a driver impaired by drugs or alcohol, an experienced Mississippi drunk driving accident attorney at Barrett Law, PLLC may be able to help. We have roots in Mississippi representing those injured by the negligence of others that extend back over 75 years. We offer a free initial case evaluation so contact us at 662-834-2376 to see how we might be able to help.
