Drunk Driving Accident | Phoenix Personal Injury Law Blog
The New Legislation Aimed at Reducing DUI Accidents
Congress has passed legislation mandating that automakers use technology to prevent alcohol-impaired people from driving cars. Monitoring systems to stop drunk drivers must be installed in all new vehicles as early as 2026. The U.S. Department of Transportation will first assess the best technology to use, then automobile manufacturers will be given time to comply with the new requirements. Approximately $17 billion in federal funds has been allocated to safety programs, the largest increase in decades, as reported by USA Today
Staying Safe on New Year’s Eve
New Year’s Eve is one of the worst times of the year for drunk driving accidents. January 1st can be just as bad, when people who still have alcohol in their systems get behind the wheel of a car without realizing they are still intoxicated. If you drink on New Year’s Eve, after getting a ride home with a sober driver, the best plan may be to stay at home and rest to avoid driving alcohol impaired.
5 Ways to Prevent St. Patrick’s Day DUIs
As St. Patrick’s Day draws ever closer, we are all looking for more of that old Irish luck in our lives. For many, the holiday is a welcome break from the turmoil of the past year, but if 2020 has taught us anything, it’s that safety should always be our top priority. While you may hope to enjoy a lively party and night out for St. Patrick’s Day, drinking and driving is still a major risk.
New Year’s Eve May See More Drunk Drivers – Be Prepared!
It’s the holiday season once again, and there are a lot of things to be excited about. As plans are made for holiday parties and festivities, though, it’s important to plan a safe ride home, too.
Statistics show that while incidences of drunk driving are lower now than they once were, New Year’s Eve still sees many alcohol-related accidents in Arizona.
Is It Legal to Drive Under the Influence of Marijuana?
Updated on January 7, 2021
On November 3rd, 2020, Proposition 207 was passed in Arizona, making marijuana legal for recreational use for the very first time. Until this, marijuana was only legal for medical use, and those who wanted to use it had to obtain a medical marijuana card.
Under Prop 207, only people over the age of 21 are allowed to use marijuana, like alcohol. This is a big leap for marijuana in Arizona, but how does it impact DUI laws around marijuana use? It is now legal to drive while under the influence of marijuana?
DUIs During the Holidays
Arizona is home to many festivals and events during the holiday season, and residents and guests alike love to attend. While most people choose a designated driver or use public transit to get to and from events, there are a few who will break the law and drive while under the influence of drugs and alcohol. Still others will drive while abusing prescription drugs that may make them drowsy and inattentive.
Arrive Alive on St. Patrick’s Day
St. Patrick’s Day may be associated with wearing green, the luck of the Irish, and eating Irish foods such as corned beef. But for many people in the U.S., St. Patrick’s Day is strictly a drinking holiday. While many bars and pubs go out of their way to make it special – even serving green beer – and it’s a lot of fun to party, there are dangers involved.
Can Police Test for Drugged Driving?
Right now, Arizona police are testing a new way to catch drivers who are under the influence of drugs. It’s called a roadside oral fluid test (OF), and it is quick and easy to administer. A typical test takes less than five minutes and is conducted with a small sample of saliva from the suspected drugged driver. The driver can also supply a blood or urine sample if he or she is unable to give saliva due to medical conditions.
Opioids Leading to More Deaths on Arizona Roads
It’s often easy to recognize a drunk driver and test for alcohol consumption with a breathalyzer. We might also be able to see someone driving distracted while using a cellphone or turning around to talk to kids in the backseat. But what’s hard to notice is who is abusing opioids and putting other people at risk because of it.
Drunk Driving in Arizona: The Data
In the 1950s and ‘60s, drunk driving wasn’t considered a prevalent problem. In fact, it wasn’t really regarded as a problem at all. During this time, there were even advertisements glamorizing people drinking and driving!
Of course, all of that changed in the 1980s. Groups such as MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) started crusades to bring more awareness to the dangers of drunk driving and reduce the number of fatalities. They’ve done a great job—fatalities have dropped by over 50%—but as the data below shows, there is still more work to be done.
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Confidentially reviewed by Attorney Mark Breyer