Drunk Drivers Can Cause Catastrophic Chicago Car Accident Injuries
According to a 2008 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration survey, at least 1 in 12 drivers surveyed say they drive drunk at least once year. 1 in 5 admitted that when they drove under the influence they did so within 2 hours of consuming an alcoholic beverage. This, despite the fact that 4 out of 5 of the 6,999 motorists surveyed consider driving drunk to be a serious threat to safety. NHTSA Administrator David Strickland says it is clear that more needs to be done so that people that know drunk driving is dangerous will stop doing it.
According to the US Department of Transportation, 1/3rd of all deadly US auto accidents involve a drunk driver. The auto death rate could be cut significantly if people stopped driving drunk.
The NHTSA survey found that about 17.2 million Americans have gotten behind the steering wheel of a vehicle even though they suspected that their BAC was over the legal limit. 8% of people have gotten in a car driven by someone that they suspected was drunk. 40% believe that they can drive after having 3 drinks. 11% think that they can still drive after 5 drinks.
It goes without saying that if you or someone you love was injured in a Chicago car accident involving a drunk driver that you believe caused the crash, there is a good chance you may have grounds for a Chicago injury case against him/her. Most drivers never intend to hurt anyone when driving under the influence, but unfortunately, injuries and deaths happen.
Just recently, one adult was injured and the allegedly drunken driver’s son, age 4, was killed in a Chicago car crash that occurred on August 15 at Fullerton and Kostner. Police say that Letecia Medel, 24, had a blood alcohol level of .151 when her vehicle did not stop at a red light and rear-ended a Honda Civic that was stopped. Her vehicle then drove into the next lane where it hit a Chevrolet Tahoe. The impact from the traffic collision also caused the Honda to strike another vehicle before it ended up against a building.
Medina, Jonathan, her 2-year-old son, and her husband fled the Cook County car accident site. At the hospital, Jonathan, who was suffering from a lacerated liver and numerous contusions, was pronounced dead.
Woman charged in DUI crash that killed 4-year-old, Pioneer Local, August 23, 2010
Government study: 1 in 12 drivers admit driving drunk, USA Today, August 26, 2010
Related Web Resources:
DUI Fact Book, Cyber Drive Illinois (PDF)
