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National Alcohol Awareness Month

April is National Alcohol Awareness Month. Alcohol is a pervasive part of American life. Whether celebrating or drowning our sorrows, alcohol is present in the lives of many American adults. In fact, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), American men who drink alcohol, drink an average of 19 liters of pure alcohol per year, and American women who drink alcohol drink an average of 6.7 liters of pure alcohol each year[1].

Sadly, one of the consequences of drinking alcohol can be drunk driving. According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), adults overconsume alcohol and drive 121 million times per year[2]. This results in 300,000 injuries and more than 10,000 deaths per year, or one death every 50 minutes[3].

Having a blood alcohol level of 0.08 percent or higher means that an adult is alcohol-impaired and should not drive[4].  The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles reports that five signs of an impaired driver are[5]:

1. Slowed reaction time
2. Limited short-term memory functions
3. Decreased hand-eye coordination
4. Weakened concentration
5. Difficulty perceiving time and distance”

The penalties for being convicted of drunk driving can be severe and include the following[6]:

• Revocation of driver’s license for a minimum of 180 days
• Fines ranging from $500 – $5,000
• Required use of an ignition interlock device (This is a device that tests a driver’s blood alcohol content BAC each time they step into their car before the ignition can start.)
• Community service
• Probation
• Imprisonment

Here are some steps that you can take to help keep drunk drivers off the road:

• If you drink, do not drive. No excuses. No exceptions.
• Before you go to an event that is serving alcohol, plan your ride home. That could include having a designated driver, taking public transportation, or calling a cab or a ridesharing service.
• If you are hosting a party, make sure all your guests have a safe ride home.
• If you see someone drunk who is driving, call 911.

Drunk driving destroys lives. It’s never worth the risk.

ECanter Lawyers

When you are dealing with the chaos and pain of accidents and personal injuries, the last thing you need is technical, confusing legal language.  ECanter Lawyers breaks down the complexities and provides clear, informative answers so that you understand your legal options. 

For over two decades, ECanter Lawyers has remained committed to honest, straightforward answers.  Named one of AVVO’s Clients’ Choice, ECanter Lawyers has helped clients receive multi-million-dollar verdicts, and millions of dollars in settlements.  ECanter Lawyers specializes in personal injury, motor vehicle accidents, medical malpractice, premises and product liability, and healthcare law.

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[1] World Health Organization. 19089_United States of America.pdf (who.int)

[2] Mothers Against Drunk Driving. MADD | Mothers Against Drunk Driving

[3] Mothers Against Drunk Driving. MADD | Mothers Against Drunk Driving

[4] CDC. Sobering Facts: Drunk Driving in Florida (cdc.gov)

[5] Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Impaired Driving – Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (flhsmv.gov)

[6] Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Impaired Driving – Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (flhsmv.gov)