National Impaired Driving Prevention Month: What to Know 

For many, December is a time for family gatherings and all things merry. It is also National Impaired Driving Prevention Month, which raises awareness to prevent accidents around the two deadliest holidays – Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), drunk driving crashes claimed the lives of 108 people in those two days alone in 2018. 

A motor vehicle accident can leave physical, emotional, and mental scars to all of those involved. If you or a loved one was injured in an impaired driving crash, our Los Angeles drunk driving accident lawyers at The Law Offices of Daniel Kim can provide you with legal guidance and a plan to recover fair compensation.

What Is Impaired Driving?

Driving while impaired is the act of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, illicit drugs, or other factors that affect a driver’s ability to drive safely. While alcohol consumption typically leads to the most accidents, drug impaired driving also contributes to many serious and fatal crashes. Impaired driving includes any of the following substances: 

• Alcohol
• Marijuana
• Opioids 
• Methamphetamines
• Prescription or over-the-counter medication with side effects 

Certain medications can impair a person’s driving ability. This is why it is always important to know a medication’s side effects and avoid driving if the drug causes fatigue, dizziness, blurred vision, and nausea. 

Impaired Driving Statistics

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), alcohol-impaired driving crashes kill one person every 45 minutes. This shocking statistic reveals the dangers of drinking alcohol and driving and the need for better measures to prevent drunk driving deaths. Nearly a third of all traffic deaths in the U.S. involved a drunk or drugged driver.

During the holiday season when many people travel and attend holiday parties with alcohol, drunk and drugged driving accidents spike considerably. In just one month, there were 839 alcohol-related traffic fatalities in 2018. Underage drinking is also a huge concern during the holiday season. 

California Drunk Driving Laws

Drunk driving laws vary state to state. In 48 states including California, it is illegal to operate a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher for those 21 years or older. However, the law varies considerably for certain groups of drivers, including the following: 

• Commercial vehicle drivers: 0.04% or higher
• Drivers under 21 years old: 0.01% or higher 
• Drivers on DUI probation or with a prior DUI conviction within 10 years: 0.01% or higher 

If law enforcement officers suspect that a driver is impaired by alcohol or drugs, they can ask the driver to take a breathalyzer test and a field sobriety test. If the driver fails or refuses to take these tests, or if the officer has other probable cause, they can charge the driver with a DUI or DWI. 

While the law treats drunk driving as a misdemeanor, it can classify it as a felony if the driver injures or kills the other parties involved, or if they are a repeat offender.

DUI vs. DWI: What’s the Difference?

DUI stands for “driving under the influence,” while DWI stands for “driving while intoxicated” or “driving while impaired.” Both terms refer to the act of driving a vehicle while under the influence. In California, DUI and DWI are used interchangeably and essentially mean the same thing. 

What Is Buzzed Driving?

During National Impaired Driving Prevention Month, you will hear the term “buzzed driving” used frequently. It refers to a driver with BAC of .01 to .07. While this is below the legal limit of .08%, it is still extremely dangerous. Even a small amount of alcohol can affect a person’s ability to drive safely. 

The law strongly discourages drivers who consume alcohol from getting behind the wheel. Instead, look for alternate forms of transportation, such as ridesharing services, or have a designated driver. 

How Can a Personal Injury Attorney Help Me? 

If an impaired driver caused your accident and injuries, you may be able to recover compensation in a personal injury claim. However, filing a claim on your own can lead to stress, unanswered questions, and weeks of silence from the insurance company. Even in a drunk driving accident, the insurance adjuster may still try to offer you a lowball settlement. This can mean you do not receive proper compensation for your medical bills and treatment, property damage, and pain and suffering. 

An experienced personal injury attorney knows the insurance tactics and can help you negotiate to obtain the highest possible compensation. You may be facing physical and emotional pain as well as financial hardship. An attorney can take the pressure off of you so you can focus on your recovery. 

Contact a The Law Offices of Daniel Kim Today 

Victims of drunk and drugged driving accidents are often never the same. We often see these types of tragic accidents on the news. If you or a loved one suffered injuries due to a drunk driver, you deserve justice and financial compensation. Our personal injury law firm in Los Angeles is 100% committed to fighting for the rights of injured auto accident victims.

We will begin by asking you questions in a free consultation. You are not obligated to sign with us or make a decision about your case. Just reach out to us to get clarity. We are here for you 24/7. Call our Los Angeles personal injury attorney today at (310) 295-1087.