Throughout the United States, including Florida, drunk driving has been a serious concern for many years now. There are even groups such as MADD, which dedicate themselves entirely to raising awareness and reducing instances of drunk driving. Between 1999 and 2009, death certificates indicated that barely 3 percent of fatal traffic crashes were significantly caused by alcohol, but a study published earlier this year shows that this might not be the case.
According to highway data, more than 20 percent of the people involved in the fatal traffic crashes during that decade were legally drunk. The discrepancy could be caused by the amount of time it takes to get the test results for blood-alcohol content following a fatal accident. The death certificate is often filed before the results are returned, meaning that how much alcohol contributed to the accident is unclear at the time.
While it is important to remember that drunk driving is a real concern that may be an even larger problem than we realize, it is also important to remember that not everyone who is accused of drunk driving is guilty. With information like this coming out, it could put an even greater emphasis by law enforcement agencies on tracking down drunk drivers before they cause a fatal accident. Remember that you have rights.
If you are charged with drunk driving, it is important that you take legal action immediately, as a conviction could mean fines and even jail time. Consulting with an attorney after you have been charged can help you prove that you were not drunk, or have the charges dropped depending on the circumstances of your arrest.
