By Martin J. Solomon -

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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By William Bly -

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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By Brenda Hollingsworthand Richard Auger

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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By Michael Enfield -

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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By Kevin Valentine Young -

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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By Cias Hart -

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

By Colin Daives -

Drunk driving is widely understood to be risky and dangerous, not only to the driver and passengers but also to other people on the road, including drivers and pedestrians. Four out of every ten fatal car accidents in the United States are alcohol-related. Each year, 25,000 people die and 708,000 are injured in alcohol-related collisions. Alcohol-related crashes result in the death of 500 people per week, or more than 70 every day. Statistically, half of all Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related car accident in their lifetime. Despite these alarming statistics, it happens all around us every day. Far too often, who have been drinking fail to heed the potential consequences, and get behind the wheel of a car.

In addition to lives lost and injuries sustained, there are other far-reaching consequences of car accidents caused by drunk drivers. These consequences are financial as well as physical. Drunk driving costs American taxpayers between 21 and 24 billion dollars each year, according to a recent study. More generally, according to National Geographic, alcohol abuse costs $136 billion each year in the United States alone.

If you are injured by a drunk driver, you may be entitled to compensation. Settlements stemming from a drunk driving accident typically include coverage for medical treatment, lost wages, and emotional distress. Cases against the drunk driver often include punitive damages, which are meant to punish reckless drivers and discourage such conduct in the future. If you have been involved in a car accident with someone driving drunk, contact a car accident lawyer who can help you hold the driver legally and financially responsible for your injuries and other damages. If a loved one has been killed by an accident involving a drunk driver, contact a wrongful death lawyer. Although money can’t bring your family member back, it may prevent the person responsible from driving drunk in the future. Don’t let drunk drivers get away with endangering the lives of other; get the compensation you deserve by holding the driver accountable for driving while drunk.

Drunk driving has profound affects not only on those injured in the accident, but also on the driver. Causing an accident while driving drunk can result in serious, long-lasting legal consequences. In addition to settlement claims by injured parties, a drunk driver who causes an accident faces a number of legal charges, depending on the severity of the accident. At the very least, these include an arrest for DUI, which can come with fines, license suspension, and a range of other penalties. Other charges could include wrongful death, reckless driving, and an array of other criminal charges stemming from driving drunk and the resulting accident, all of which will require the help of a DUI lawyer or criminal defense attorney. In addition to legal consequences, the driver will also have to live with more personal effects, such as the guilt of recklessly destroying the lives of other people. Protect yourself and others from drunk driving accidents by never drinking and driving.

Colin Daives writes general information articles about a number of legal topics that range from personal injury and civil rights to criminal law and DUI cases. Each state has different laws and every case is unique. His articles are not meant to be legal advice. To learn more or for assistance with your case in the state of Colorado, contact a Denver DUI lawyer or a Denver injury attorney today.

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By Roy K Butler -

DUI or Driving under Influence is the act of driving any vehicle after consumption or during consumption of alcohol or drugs. DUI is term that represents criminal offense of driving the motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs or combination of both.

Many states in America have passed the law to prohibit driving of vehicle while having certain amount of blood alcohol content (BAC) level. The blood alcohol content limit in US is 0.08%. Most of the jurisdictions add extra penalties (including long time imprisonment) in cases where the driver’s BAC is above 0.20%.

DUI Penalties:

A drunk driver can be made to pay the fine ranging from five hundred to thousand dollars for the first offense. Other probable penalties include imprisonment, short-term license revocation, alcohol and drug abuse programs, etc.

The second and third offense can be charged up-to fifteen thousand dollars along with imprisonment for certain time period. Following aspects are evaluated before charging the penalty:

Was there a child in vehicle when person was drunk?

Were they speeding or was the BAC above 20%?

Was anyone injured or any property destroyed throughout the occurrence?

DUI Statistics:

The below mentioned DUI Statistics are mentioned with reference to the drunk driving and car crashes in USA.

In United States, 3 out of 10 people are involved in the drunken driving mishaps, at least once in their life.

39% of the casualties that take place in America are due to drunk driving. The same rate in Canada is 30%.

Accidents related to drunk driving occur every 45 minutes in USA.

In year 2002, 159 million drunken driving trips were undertaken by Americans out of which 10% were taken by the people from the age group of 18-20 years.

Nearly 275,000 people were injured in the year 2003 due to drunken driving accidents.

1.46 million people were arrested in USA for driving under the influence of either alcohol or drugs in 2006. This means that behind every 139 licensed drivers, one was arrested.

The drunk driving fatalities in 2009, till 27th November were 11,769. In 2007 and 2008 it was 12998 and 11773 respectively.

Erasing DUI from Your Record:

Depending on the circumstances, you may get your DUI cleared from your record. It depends on

Which states you live in

Circumstances of your arrest

Procedures utilized in your trial

The expungement is the legal procedure that destroys the traces of previous arrests from your records. This can be done only after the partial successful completion of your terms. If done successfully, the conviction or arrest is said to be “expunged” and it will no longer appear in your record.

The DUI statistics presented above explains us the seriousness of this global problem. By following the simple rules prescribed by the government, we can save millions of lives. Avoid driving after drinking and stay away from being the part of the above statistics.

Royy Butler is an expert professional in giving DUI Advice.

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By Brenda Williams -

Drunk driving seems to be an issue that keeps coming up, never really going away entirely. With the economy the way it is, it seems like one of the few industries that are doing well include the alcohol industry. In fact, recent reports showed that numbers had increased for alcohol sales. That’s great for those in the liquor and alcohol business, but what does the bigger picture show for how Americans are feeling?

Having been a police officer before, I can certainly attest to the fact that many of the people who are arrested for drunk driving or driving while under the influence are not first-time offenders. In fact, many of the people who drive drunk are repeat offenders, having committed drunk driving offenses at least once (perhaps several times) in the past. It is a travesty, to say the least, that such an occurrence should repeat itself in a society where we are constantly supposed to be looking out for the welfare of ourselves an others.

I can remember arresting a young, male driver early on in my night shift, processing him down at the jail, going back to my shift duties and then coming across him approximately an hour later! Perhaps the problem is that we don’t take drunk driving seriously enough. But then again, everyone’s ears perk up when they hear that someone has been killed at the hands of a drunk driver. Certainly, there are other things- other factors that can contribute to devastating car accidents that don’t involve alcohol though.

Take, for instance, the following example. While in high school, I clearly remember the announcement that came across the loudspeakers and echoed in the empty hallways of the building from my grief-stricken vice principal. In a somewhat shaky voice, she announced that one of the boys in the grade below mine had gotten involved in a horrific car accident that cost him his life the day before. He was only 16 years old and had just left school with another female classmate. Trying to show off for his female friend, he was speeding down the highway. When he went to exit the highway on one of the highway exit ramps, he misjudged the turn, causing his SUV to flip over and crash. He was killed almost immediately while the girl survived.

Think of the pain, sorrow and anger that his family must have felt for years as well as the emotions that they are still living with today and will continue to deal with for the rest of their lives. It’s not just drunk driving that kills; not being vigilant- not paying attention- these also kill. When you throw alcohol into the mix, it distracts you by affecting your body or impairing its ability to make sound decisions or navigate things around you such as roadways. With alcohol use and abuse come all sorts of ‘what ifs’. What if he hadn’t been drinking that night? What if I had never went to that party? What if I never gave him the keys? What if I offered to drive them home or at least call a cab?

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By Isabella Gibby -

In Arizona, driving under the influence is a serious crime. The laws prohibiting drunk driving have been sensitively made and the penalties have been made severe. The laws are also strictly implemented because of the adamant desire to deter people from driving drunk and to stop the continuous counting of deaths as a result of accidents. The crime of a DUI has caused concern in every community. The drawbacks of drunk driving in the lives of each citizen have lead the state government to use its power to regulate the citizens’ driving behavior. Though the crime may be committed only on the roads, members of society across the country are affected.

It is worth noting that alcohol-related deaths have been increasing over time. Every year, there are hundreds of driving accidents that led to the loss of lives and property. Apart from that, teenagers have also been involved. In the whole country, the recorded cases of drunk driving have reached more than 12,000. A considerable percent are teenagers. In Arizona alone, death caused by driving has also reached more than 500 in a year. With the horrible number of DUI cases, the society is certainly disturbed. The victims of the accidents have also been active in organizing groups and event aimed at deterring driving drunk. The effort of people behind these organizations has led to the broader awareness as to drunk driving.

Meanwhile, driving under the influence can be subdivided into four offenses. Like in Arizona, almost all states penalizes driving under influence or DUI, operating while intoxicated or impaired or OWI, driving while intoxicated or impaired or DWI, and having blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or 0.08 grams for every 100 grams of blood. According to the law, 0.08% is adequate enough to impair the driver’s discretion or reflexes in driving. These laws have been implemented all around the state and excuse no one from non-compliance. These laws have also been anticipated to bring public order in the state of Arizona.

Finally, the deaths and loss of properties caused by drunk driving has created driving under influence or DUI courts. DUI courts are special courts that hear only drunk driving cases. For the purpose of fast discovery of justice, specialized lawyers have focused on drunk driving cases only. For example, an Arizona DUI Lawyer is waiting to take on new clientele. In addition, due to the effect of driving with influence in the society, DUIs have been the increasing interest of the U.S. Judicial System.

Learn more about Arizona DUI Lawyers at Arizona-DUI-Lawyers.org.

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