December is National Impaired Driving Prevention Month. While celebrating during the holidays, it’s easy to forget about the risks of car accidents. That is why we seek to raise awareness during this time of year of the serious consequences of impaired driving. An accident-free holiday is possible. It begins by reminding ourselves of the reckless choices we can make behind the wheel.
Driving Impaired from Alcohol
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration tracked an average of 300 deaths each year recently from DUIs during the holidays. Nevada law considers you under the influence with a blood alcohol concentration level of 0.08% or greater. The Nevada Public Safety Department reported 82 out of 292 fatal crashes from 2018 were caused by a driver under the influence. They mostly occurred in highly populated cities during the weekends.
Penalties for DUIs are harsh, even when it does not result in a deadly accident. You may:
- Have your driver’s license revoked from 185 days to 3 years
- Have your car impounded
- Receive a sentence from 6 months in jail to 6 years in prison
- Be fined $400 to $2,000
Local police and highway patrol will be especially alert for drunk drivers this month. The law requires you to submit to blood, urine, or breath tests if you are suspected of a DUI. If you refuse, your license can be suspended for 1 to 3 years.
Distracting Ourselves While Driving
National Impaired Driving Prevention Month also brings awareness to distracted driving. Nevada’s Department of Transportation estimates 20% of all traffic accidents are distraction-related. Texting while driving is a common and widespread danger. It increases the likelihood of a crash by 23%. Texting takes a driver’s eyes off the road for an average of 4.6 seconds. That is the equivalent of blindly traveling down a football field at 55 miles per hour.
Using your cell phone while driving is a misdemeanor unless you have an accessory for hands-free usage. Otherwise, you may be fined up to $250 and receive a 6-month license suspension.
Impaired driving accidents are 100% preventable. Drive sober and don’t text while driving. It’s not worth a tragedy. At Sam & Ash Injury Law, we are committed to our shared goal of zero impaired driving accidents and spreading awareness in Nevada. But until we reach that goal, we will continue to do What’s Right for injured victims. That means getting you justice and the treatment you need to get back to normal. Call us for a free consultation. We are here for you 24/7 at 1 (800) 304-2000.
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