New App May Reduce New Year’s Drunk-Driving Accidents

Clore Law · December 30 2014

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has been working to reduce the number of drunk-driving accidents with their "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" campaign. Their efforts will continue through the New Year and law enforcement agencies will be especially vigilant on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. In addition to increased DUI checkpoints and patrolling, a new app has been released in an effort to encourage those who are impaired to find an alternate mode of transportation. Background More than 10,000 people die every year due to drunk-driving. Although there was a 2.5-percent decrease in 2013, the total number of fatalities was still 10,076, which is equivalent to one death every 52-minutes. Historically, the holiday season sees an increase in drunk-driving incidents, but December 2013 broke with tradition and had the lowest number of fatalities of any month that year. This victory for the NHTSA and law enforcement is bitter-sweet, though, as 733 lives were still lost. Statistics of Interest

• Roughly 75% of fatal alcohol-related collisions during the 2012 holiday season occurred at night.
• An average of 27 people died each day of December 2012 as a result of impaired motorists.
• 81% of alcohol-impaired drivers in 2010 were men. This number dropped to 75% in 2012.
• Two-out-of-three 2012 crashes that occurred between midnight and 3am involved an alcohol-impaired driver.
• In 2012, a person was killed every 51 minutes due to an alcohol-impaired driver.
• The number of people who die in alcohol-related collisions every year is equal to 20 jumbo jets crashing.

Safer Ride The NHTSA's app, simply titled "Safer Ride," is free and was specially designed for ease-of-use. It performs three main functions to aid those who are impaired in making their way home without getting behind the wheel. The "Call Friend" button can be preprogrammed with any phone number, to save the hassle and frustration of digging through contacts to find the right person or accidentally misdialing. There is also a "Get Taxi" option, which automatically delivers a list of taxi operators which provide service in the area the app user is located. The list comes complete with reviews that are pulled directly from Yelp, as well as an option to call each one. As a final choice, users can tap "Where Am I?" and Safer Ride will provide a map. The app is available for Android devices on Google Play and for Apple devices on iTunes. To reduce the number of drunk-driving accidents in Charleston, as well as the potential for legal consequences, local agencies are reminding people to be safe this New Year's. Use the app, appoint a designated driver, abstain, or stay home if you're going to drink. If you won't be drinking, try to avoid the roads between midnight and 3am, when the risk of collision is at its peak, and remain vigilant for impaired drivers. If you see one, pull over to the side of the road, let them pass, and contact authorities.

Charleston Drunk-Driving Accident Attorney

If your or a loved one has been injured by an alcohol-impaired driver, you may be entitled to compensation. Another person's reckless decision can leave you with medical bills, damage, and more. Our lawyers will fight for you to ensure fair reparations, and we don't collect anything until you win your case. We offer free consultations and can be reached via our contact form or you may speak directly to one of our attorneys by calling 1(800)610-2546.