Alcohol has been enjoyed for thousands of years, not only for its sanitation, but also for its taste. However, only in the past couple centuries have people had to worry about the combination of drinking and driving–and they do not mix well. Mothers Against Drunk Driving estimates that a person is killed by a drunk driver every 45 minutes. Alcohol tricks the brain, making you think that you are capable of driving when you may have lost the essential skills necessary to safely operate your vehicle.

When you consume an alcoholic drink, it passes through your digestive system like any other food or beverage. The stomach and upper intestines break down the beverage and absorb the alcohol. From here, the chemical enters the bloodstream and travels throughout the body. The blood carries the alcohol to the brain, where alcohol can have some interesting effects.

First, it is important to realize that the body uses two main types of neurotransmitters to function: excitatory and inhibitory signals. In the brain, alcohol works as an inhibitory signal. It helps to enhance the effects of GABA, one of the primary inhibitors in the brain. As an inhibitory signal, GABA works to slow down the functioning of the body. This is what leads to stumbling and slurring.

Additionally, the stronger effects of GABA also slow down key functioning of the brain that normally helps with your driving. In the cerebral cortex, alcohol leads to feelings of recklessness as well as a slowdown of information processing and the thinking process. This may increase the risks that you take while driving drunk while at the same time making it difficult to understand what is happening around you.

In the cerebellum, alcohol can disrupt your balance and coordination. Without coordination, it can be very difficult to perform the fast-action skills necessary to drive a car. For instance, you may not be able to stop your vehicle fast enough to avoid a wreck.

When intoxicated individuals choose to drink and drive, they lose the important skills that they need to be safe drivers. If someone has made the tragic decision to drink and drive, hurting you or someone you love, you should fight back against this terrible carelessness.

To learn more about your legal options, please visit the website for the Wisconsin auto accident lawyers from Habush Habush & Rottier, S.C., today.

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As prom season descends on thousands of Arizona high-school students, Arizona educators and safety organizations are taking proactive approaches to teaching teenagers about the dangers of driving under the influence. The city of Glendale partnered with several area high schools to set up mock-crash assemblies entitled “Operation Prom and Beyond” to show students the potential consequences of drunk driving.

With the cooperation of the Glendale Fire and Police Departments, school officials gave students firsthand looks at dangers of driving while under the influence. Students sat in football-field bleachers and watched as firefighters and police officers helped accident victims, played by student actors, out of damaged vehicles, investigated the scenes and made arrests.

Students also heard from parents and friends affected by the losses of loved ones from drunk driving.

The city of Glendale reports that fatal crashes have declined over the years, but officials want to ensure that students have the right information to make healthy and safe choices for upcoming prom and graduation events.

Arizona officials believe that these presentations have had great impact on students and prom season is the perfect time to remind them of smart habits.

Statistics Don’t Lie

In 2007, Arizona experienced 952 fatal car accidents. Teenagers (aged 15 to 19) accounted for over 10 percent of all people killed in 2007 Arizona motor-vehicle collisions. Glendale officials report that there were 13 fatal crashes in the city during 2008. Of those, 23 percent were alcohol related, 30 percent drug related and 30 percent speed related.

According to a recent report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), car accidents are now the leading cause of death for teenagers in the U.S. The CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) estimates that more than one-third of teen fatalities are from car accidents.

Furthermore, the CDC reports that 78 percent of all unintentional deaths involving 12 to 19 year olds are caused by car accidents, which now account for 48 percent of all teenage deaths in the U.S. On average, 16,375 youth (12 to 19) died annually in automobile accidents from 1999 to 2006.

Many other states have established similar educational programs to educate students about drunk driving. Most programs have been successful in reducing the amount of teenage DUI accidents in their communities; however, officials encourage combining these programs with other teenage driver trainings to help teens become safe drivers in high school and beyond.

Phoenix drunk driving accident victim lawyers Solomon and Relihan are available for a free initial consultation. If you think that a drunk driver may have caused or contributed to your injuries, you should talk with an experienced attorney. Call 602-336-6144 or visit online.

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The facts about drunk driving are so horrendous and scary that simply to be aware of them will by itself introduce a measure of sobriety in us and a willingness to do more than just stand by while hundreds of people are killed or injured every year. You can literally help save a life today by simply reading the following statistics, understanding the gravity of the situation and by sharing these facts judiciously with those who you think may also be in a position to help.

1) One in three of us will be involved in an impaired driving accident during our lifetime.

2) One in three 13-year olds drinks alcohol.

3) Kids who start drinking young are 7 times more likely to be involved in a drunk driving accident.

4) More teenagers die in car accidents than from any other cause and one in three of these accidents are due to drinking and driving. The severity of accidents increases with the involvement of alcohol–2% property damage, 4% bodily injury, 22% death.

5) Six thousand people die every year because of teenage drinking and this is more than all other illegal drugs combined. More males than females are involved–26% male teens versus 13% female teens. Alcohol use makes it less likely that these kids will be wearing safety belts–of those that were killed in a drinking and driving accident, 73% were not wearing seat belts.

6) High school students who use alcohol or other illegal drugs are five times more likely to believe that good grades are not important and drop out of school.

7) One person will die every 50 minutes in a drunk driving accident in the United States. That’s 10,839 people this year.

One person is injured every minute in a drinking and driving accident. That’s over half a million people this year, the entire population of Tuscon, Arizona, Omaha, Nebraska, Sacramento, California or Atlanta, Georgia.

9) Every adult in the United States pays $500 every year because of impaired driving.

10) The average habitual drunk driver has driven drunk 80 times before he is caught for the first time. These traffic stops often result in the identification of criminals who are suspected in other crimes.

Remember, today it is someone else’s son, daughter, father, mother, brother or sister who is killed or seriously injured by a drunk driver but tomorrow it could be your turn. No matter what you think, you are not special.

To learn more about drunk driving, please visit DWI in Texas and Auto Insurance Costs.

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If you saw someone leave a suspicious looking bag under the seat in a subway just before leaving the train, would you call the police? Of course you would. Unfortunately, you likely wouldn’t be as civic minded if you saw someone driving drunk–the one thing that causes more wrongful deaths and injuries than any other in the US. This is because you likely don’t know what to look for and what to do if you spot someone driving or trying to drive drunk. So here are some ideas on what to look for to spot someone who is likely driving drunk and what to do if you do.

One of the surest ways to tell if someone is driving impaired is if he accelerates quickly and brakes continuously. No normal person would do this. Another sign is if someone almost hits another car, street sign or other object. Some obvious signs are if you see someone driving in the opposite lane against traffic, changing traffic lanes often, not staying in between the lane markers, turning suddenly without signals and driving without headlights. Driving too slow can also be a sign that something is wrong and the most likely cause is drunk driving.

These are far too common events on our roads and we will see them every day. But if we see someone who is most likely drunk while driving, we likely won’t do anything for the simple reason that we don’t know what to do. So what exactly is the best way to react if we have good reason to suspect that someone is driving while impaired? Here is a list:

The first thing to do is stay away from the drunk driver, the farther away the better. The worst thing you can do is drive up to or alongside the offender to try and see if he is really drunk or just having some other difficulty. It is not your job to guess and someone’s life may be in danger. Worse, the impaired driver may get confused and hit you. Next, if you are able to without putting yourself in danger, take note of the driver’s license plate number along with details of his auto’s make, model and color and then try to stop as soon and as safely as possible. One way to take note of the number safely is to read it to yourself aloud and keep repeating it aloud until you are able to stop safely. Then, while you are still repeating the number aloud to yourself and have stopped, write it down as quickly as possible, along with the details about the offender’s car–the make, model, color. You will also want to note the road he was traveling on and in what direction, and any cross streets that you may have just crossed. Then call 911 immediately and read them all of this information.

There is no need for you to do anything else. Just leave the rest to the police as they know best how to safely handle the situation.

For more information on drunk driving, go to DWI in Texas and Texas DWI laws.

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This may seem like an odd subject, since many of us assume that everyone understands why drinking and driving is bad. After all, hasn’t everyone seen the commercials that feature mangled vehicles and ambulances with sirens blaring, showing the consequences of drunk driving? That said, to those who have any questions, here are three very good reasons why drinking and driving is a bad decision:

1. It can lead to legal issues. There is a legal limit that shows where toleration for alcohol decreases. Some may argue that they can handle more, but science shows that, when our bodies have a certain amount of alcohol in our blood, we lose control of ourselves in many ways. Our decision-making processes are affected, and we aren’t as careful as we normally would be. If we get caught drinking and driving, we could lose our driving privileges. We could also be taken to jail or be forced to go through alcohol rehabilitation courses or defensive driving classes. No one wants to deal with legal issues caused by drinking and driving.

2. It can make car insurance premiums go up. Most of us don’t think far ahead enough to remember that, like any car incident, drinking and driving can lead to higher insurance premiums. Anyone who has ever had an at-fault traffic accident understands this process, and the addition of a drunk driving charge will likely only make things worse. Our lives are already expensive enough, especially with our economy in the shape it’s in. So, the second reason that drinking and driving is bad is that it can cost you more on your car insurance.

3. Drinking and driving is dangerous. This one seems like a very obvious statement, since most know that drinking and driving is dangerous, but it bears repeating. We’ve all been taught that we are more likely to crash after even one or two drinks, so drinking can only increase the likelihood of an accident. It’s just not worth taking the risk. Therefore, the third reason never to drink and drive is because of the danger represented to yourself and those around you.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with taking a drink. It may help calm nerves or settle jitters. However, driving afterward is not a good idea. Take a cab, have a sober friend drive you, or stay at home to drink, for your safety just as much as anyone else’s. If none are possible, walk or stay put, either is better than choosing to drink and drive. Don’t take the risk of ruining lives; yours or others.

This information is provided solely for informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice.

William Bly of The Law Office of William T. Bly is an attorney in Maine and focuses a good part of his practice on drunk driving issues. For more information on this issue, consider visiting the firm’s website today.

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Are you under the following mistaken beliefs?

Myth # 1- Even if I am convicted, I won’t get a criminal record. Drunk driving is simply a traffic offence.

Wrong!

If you are convicted of impaired driving or a related charge you will have a criminal record that may affect your ability to secure a job or travel internationally.

You will keep that criminal record until you are granted a pardon. These days, you will not be eligible to apply for a pardon for 3 to 5 years. After that, the process to get a pardon can take more than 2 years.

These are serious charges.

Myth # 2 Why bother hiring a lawyer? There are no possible defences.

Wrong!

Many people share this mistaken belief. The police and lobby groups want you to have that impression. As a result, accused people often do not hire a lawyer to provide them with a proper defence. Instead, they plead guilty in situations even though the evidence against them is flimsy, non-existent, or was illegally obtained.

Do yourself a favour.

DO NOT PLEAD GUILTY TO AN “IMPAIRED” OR “OVER 80″ CHARGE WITHOUT CONSULTING WITH AN EXPERIENCED LAWYER. That lawyer will review the evidence against you and give you an opinion on your options and advise you about the possible outcomes at a trial or on a plea.

Myth # 3 Any lawyer can represent someone charged with impaired driving or driving over 80.

Wrong!

That is like saying a skin doctor can perform open heart surgery. Impaired cases are specialized. There are a number of technical defences and the case law is always changing. If you are charged with one of these defences, you need a lawyer who is experienced and up-to-date in this specific areas of the law.

Myth # 4 If a law firm advertises that they defend drunk driving cases, they will take my case to trial.

Surprising, but wrong!

If you check the Yellow Pages you will see lots of ads for lawyers who claim to defend these charges. However, the fact is that not every firm is prepared to take your case as far as you need it to go to win.

If they cannot negotiate a favourable resolution for your case, they will simply “plead you out”.

Make sure you ask the lawyers you are interviewing whether they will take your case to trial, if necessary. Ask the lawyers when they last did an impaired driving case. If it was not within the last few months…keep looking.

Richard Auger defends clients in Ontario who have been charged with criminal offences. He is the co-author with Brenda Hollingsworth of “Fighting Impaired Driving Charges in Ontario”, a book available free of charge at http://www.ottawalawfirm.ca, by email at info@ottawalawfirm.ca or by phoning 613.233.4529.

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How Drunk Driving Affects Your Insurance
By Amanda Rodriguez

Drunk driving is a serious offense, yet the rates for DUI and DWI’s are steadily increasing little by little, rather than decreasing. If you are convicted of drunk driving, a number of things will happen, but perhaps the most severe, besides death and manslaughter, is the long term negative effects on your car insurance rate. You probably have figured out that drunk driving is definitely not worth it, but here’s what you will face in terms of car insurance penalties. Read on with an open mind and silent vow to never drink and get behind the wheel. Always have a designated driver on your nights out involving alcohol.

If you are convicted of a DUI or DWI offense, be prepared to have your automobile insurance rates increase drastically. There is no other way out. For at least three years you will be punished and will be paying a much higher rate. In fact, you will no longer be on a regular insurance plan, but be put on a probationary insurance policy specifically for people with a past drunken driving offense such as DUI or a DWI. You will become more familiarized with something called a SR-22 car insurance policy. Chances are, your rates will increase before you are even allowed to resume regular driving routines again.

This SR-22 form varies by state in terms of the magnitude and duration of penalty. For example, your driver’s privileges may be postponed or even revoked for a varied amount of time. The level of intoxication upon your arrest will also determine other more severe penalties. Your revoked license may be in effect for a minimum of thirty days to even one full year, even if it is your first time offense.

The SR-22 form proves to a judge that you actually have official motor vehicle liability insurance and in many states, if you want to redeem your driving privileges again, you will have to show proof of the SR-22 form. Your insurance company is required to notify if you cancel your policy.

Another hefty penalty is the amount you pay for your premiums, which could triple. Depending on your status as a “high-risk” driver, your premiums will increase accordingly, which is determined by your insurance provider upon acceptance of your SR-22 form. You will also have a cancellation on your claims history, causing your rates to go up inevitably. The duration of this increased rate policy vary from state to state, and also depending on the drunk driving conviction you receive. Be prepared to get slammed with at least three years of costly rates, even for the first offense. After the first time, the length of time will be much longer because it reflects on your irresponsible and untrustworthy driving pattern. If your reckless driving has hurt someone, this length of time will be doubled, tripled, or carry on indefinitely.

So, the bottom line is, how can you avoid an increase in car insurance rates after a drunk driving incident? These rate increases will only come into effect if you want your driving privileges back. Avoiding these costs will force you to take public transportation of find alternative methods of getting around. The best policy to avoid insurance premium increases is to simply don’t get behind the wheel intoxicated.

Free-lance writer with a passion for Writing and Research.
Amanda Rodriguez
Car Insurance Rate Comparison

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There is always a way to avoid drunk driving. Even if you drive to a bar or party, don’t expect to drink, but find yourself drunk anyway, you still have options. DUI arrests are costly and time-consuming. Worse yet, you may face prison if you are a repeat offender.

Drunk driving may result from any number of things. Below are several ways you can avoid driving drunk.

1. Plan ahead. Having a plan for the night will help you reduce the possibility of finding yourself in a situation where you’re stranded somewhere drunk and wanting to leave by driving yourself.
2. Appoint a designated driver (DD). Having a designated driver leaves one less thing to figure out at the end of the night. Since this person will be driving, though, you have a duty to make sure he or she does not drink during the night.
3. Use public transit. Many bigger cities have public transportation systems. They are a cheaper alternative to cabs and some often run late at night.
4. Stay at a friend’s place. If you know you will be drinking, stay with a friend who lives nearby. It is ideal if his or her home is within walking distance, but taking a bus or cab to your friend’s home is better than driving to your home that is farther away.
5. Call a sober friend or family member. Many people don’t like spending the night in a strange bed. If you are drunk and find that you want to spend the night at home, call someone you know who is sober and will pick you up.
6. Don’t give in to peer pressure. Often times, drunk driving results from your friends wanting you to take them home. If you are too drunk to drive, do not let your friends convince you that you are “good enough” to drive.

Drunk driving should never be an option. Aside from the negative consequences a DUI can have on your life, you may seriously injure or even kill someone in a car accident if you are drunk.

If you or someone you know is facing DUI charges, contact the Rhode Island DUI defense lawyer James Powderly for information on how he may help you with your DUI case.

Michael Enfield

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For a lot of people who enjoy drinking, alcohol can cause some problems, especially when you are driving. Out of the state drunk driving causes collateral damage to peaceful travelers who just want to get home to their families safely from a long business trip or who are on their way trying to grab a bite on a fast food. But sometimes, it’s difficult to avoid, co workers or peer pressure would invite you for a drink or two. Before you know it, you had too much and if you have your own car, it can result to drunk driving with injury.

Some cases of out of the state drunk driving are caused by travelers, teenagers and alcoholics. For people who are traveling, it is easy to feel bored on a long trip, especially when you are out alone with nothing but bad music on the radio. Young adults are always undergoing the experimentation stage in their life and are always out wrecking havoc and doing crazy things. Alcoholics, being emotionally unstable and psychologically unpredictable, would have one hand on the stirring wheel and a beer can in the other, and they wouldn’t care much about dying if the are under influence.

. There some cases where drunk drivers try avoiding arrest when they should just remain silent for their own good. The worst cases are the ones where offenders pull out a gun from the dashboard and fight back, unable to suppress their alcohol intensified anger against authority.

Laws vary in different places and the punishment for out of the state drunk driving are not the same. It is important to take note that in states like Arizona, first time offenders will find themselves in jail for 20 days and repeaters for 30 days or more but in other states, sometimes they will just give you a ticket for a first time offense. For some people, ignorance is a reason for drunk driving. So remember that before you travel, try to have a little research about the state, know how people behave there and keep in mind their drinking laws.

It is always good to remember that if you don’t want certain accidents, try to avoid what causes it in the first place. Drunk driving with injuries can be avoided if people only know how to control themselves or much better, abstain from drinking, especially if you are driving. If you are planning to go out to party with friends, don’t bring a car but instead, take a taxi when going home. When you’re drunk, it’s always easy to think you can still drive.

Caught drunk driving in San Francisco? Get the best DIU Attorney in San Francisco.

Or maybe you’re in San Jose? Get the best DIU Attorney in San Jose.

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Driving Under the Influence (DUI) Checkpoints have a checkered past in the United States. Some states outlaw them completely, others have statutory limitations, and others have statutes which are relatively mute on the subject. Arizona is one of the latter states, where checkpoints have few limitations and are a reality of life in our fair state. In Arizona a DUI checkpoint is essentially a roadblock. The roadway will be blocked off with police cruisers and a thin line each way will be allowed to pass through. Cars are stopped based on a mathematical formula, rather than appearance of the driver or car. Once a car is selected, they will be asked for their license and registration. If the driver appears nervous, is fumbling, or smells like alcohol or drugs, they may be asked to go to a secondary inspection station. More on that later. The most important thing to remember, for both driver and passengers, is to remain calm. It is a good idea to have your license and registration easily accessible, so your nerves do not make you out to look like a drunk driver. Just a little adrenaline can make pulling your wallet out of your back pocket and your license out of the plastic screen to be a difficult endeavor. All passengers should remain quiet, and should not volunteer any information. Of course, open containers should always be avoided, and if found during a DUI checkpoint will immediately flag suspicion in the officer. The officers will be looking for slurred speech, glassy eyes, the smell of drugs or alcohol, fumbling, or other drunken behaviors. Generally, a driver who quickly presents his license and registration with no smells or strange behaviors will have a brief encounter with Arizona’s police force. Should the police instruct you to head to a secondary inspection station, you should calmly place the car into gear and drive (carefully!) to the area (it may be tented). From this point you are effectively under the same rules as a DUI stop. You will be asked how many drinks you have had, and several other questions to ascertain whether or not you are “under the influence.” Should you be arrested for DUI in Arizona, do not give up all hope. Cooperate with the police, but do not volunteer information which may incriminate you. Remember your fifth amendment rights, and stick to them. Once you are released from custody, contact an Arizona DUI lawyer for a consultation on your rights and whether or not they can represent you. Good Luck! Cias Cias Hart is a lifelong resident of Arizona. He is currently employed as a writer, and lives in Phoenix with his fianc�e and two American Staffordshire Terrier puppies. If you’ve been arrested for a DUI in Arizona, you should immediately contact a DUI lawyer. Do not go it alone or attempt to challenge a DUI arrest on your own; the court system will put well trained prosecutors against you to try to levy the maximum fines. Click one of the links provided to get into contact with an experienced Arizona DUI attorney. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cias_Hart http://EzineArticles.com/?What-to-Expect-From-a-DUI-Checkpoint&id=4886990