Taxi Vouchers to Prevent DUI Deaths

In a merry month like December, parties are everywhere. People tend to drink alcohol beyond their limits. No wonder drunk driving incidents register at its highest in this month.

For people whose loved ones had been killed in drunk driving, giving taxi vouchers is their way of keeping drunk drivers off the streets.

Lev Foundation has been giving free $10 taxi vouchers to convince tipsy drivers to take the taxi instead of driving.

The foundation was established by the family and friends of Daniel Levian who was killed by a drunk driver.

In California, the Office of Traffic Safety and the California Highway Patrol are getting ready for the holidays. In fact, motorists are reminded of their plans these holidays hoping they would include as part of merry-making activities the wearing of seatbelts when driving and having a designated driver.

Victims of drunk driving may file a personal injury claim against a negligent motorist who caused the accident. An injured victim may hire a car accident lawyer to help him/her pursue compensation claims against a drunk driver.

Deputy not charge over Gibson’s arrest leak

Investigations regarding arrests of traffic violators must remain confidential. This is made to prevent any undue influence or comment that other people might have on the issue that could sensationalize the case. This is especially true if the case involved a celebrity like Mel Gibson.

When details about Mel Gibson’s arrest leaked, an investigation was made against Los Angeles County Sheriff's Deputy James Mee. The investigation was centered on how details about Gibson’s anti-Semitic tirade leaked.

Harvey Levine, founder of a celebrity website TMZ.com, said that he did not pay anyone to get the details posted on the site. In 2006, the site posted Gibson’s rants following his drunken driving arrest.

Mee, on the other hand, denied leaking the details. Upon review, the prosecutors determined that aside from Mee, two other individuals had access to the information but no case was filed against them. Moreover, as to who made the call first between Levin and Mee was hard to trace.

After an investigation and in a nine page evaluation sheet, the prosecutors ruled on not pressing charges against Mee for lack of proof.

Drunk driving is not only penalized by law but also considered dangerous to other motorists. The investigation of a drunken charge must be of the same and equal standards whether the violator is a celebrity or not.

For victims of driving under the influence, personal injury attorneys may be consulted to file a compensation claims against the drunk driver.

Major Holidays and Accident Magnets

While holidays are always a cause for fun and celebration, especially if it’s on a weekend—it doesn’t give people the license to do stupid things, like say, drinking and driving.

But given how history has always shown people to be more impulsive and less inhibited on holiday weekends, the California Highway Patrol has prepared for drunk drivers (and other reckless, driving violators) the past Labor Day weekend by holding various checkpoints and showing an increased presence.

The law enforcement efforts have certainly paid off. Statewide statistics show that 10 people were killed on highways between 6 p.m. Friday and 6 a.m. Monday as compared to the 23 fatalities during the same period last year.

The CHP has reported that at least half of those killed were not wearing seatbelts. (Yet another frequently careless or impaired mistake)

In Orange County alone, the CHP has arrested 73 people on suspicion of drunk driving, an increase from 67 arrests made last year. There were 35 DUI suspects arrested in checkpoints in Dana Point and Mission Viejo and Newport Beach police arrested 10 people suspected of drunken driving.

Indeed, major holidays are one of those times where people can just relax and have a blast either with family or friends. But those who go out and drive, should bear in mind that drinking and driving is dangerous. A designated driver should at least be with a group out on a Labor Day weekend.

It would also help if people stay in one place and not go out and drive if alcohol is unavoidable. But if one needs to go out and drive to a destination, the driver should remain sober and maintain a clear head.

Drunk drivers are accident magnets – no matter how skilled they are, if they’re impaired by alcohol, fender-benders and metal crushes are just a couple of miles per hour away.

It is often too late to avoid an accident and with your reflexes impaired, attempts will be futile.

This is why authorities are mindful to keep a tight rein especially during holiday weekends because for some people who choose to drink and drive, can bring about the tragic end for several parties involved.

Drunk Driving Victims

Drunk drivers are dangers to the road. They can be hazards to themselves and to others. In California, where there are a lot of bars and night clubs, drunk drivers are a growing problem. Due to the bustling night life, like a moth to a flame, a lot of individuals especially young ones are drawn to the allure of partying all night, sometimes without regard to their own safety.

Drunk drivers can easily cause serious personal injuries and even wrongful death to other pedestrians or drivers. If you are a victim of a drunk driver, you are entitled to pursue personal injury claims against the negligent person.

In California, a drunk driver is not only liable for the personal injury caused to another person, he or she is also made criminally liable for driving under the influence of liquor and for driving recklessly which endangers the lives of other people.

As a victim of a car accident due to a drunk driver, you can claim damages for your personal injuries but not without the help of experienced professional personal injury lawyers.

In your case, the drunk driver is not your only option in pursuing your claims. Bar or club owners can also be held liable for serving liquor to already intoxicated patrons. As you can see, it is not easy to pursue personal injury claims as a result of car accidents, especially one involving a drunk driver. There are a lot of laws involved relating to theories of liability, as well as matters of evidence and filing deadlines among others that needs to be remembered when it comes to car accident liability claims. You should let your trusted personal injury lawyers to champion your cause.