Posts Tagged ‘DUI’

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Drunken Driving Cases on Decline Nationwide

Posted on Feb 01, 2012

According to the Center for Disease Control stats, during 2006 and 2010, the number of drunk driving cases have declined nationwide. Could the decrease in drinking and driving incidents be linked to a slow economy? Nothing else seemed to deter people from drinking and driving on the past, so is a slow economy the solution to this problem?

Driving Under the Influence on the Decline

A recent report from the CDC (Center for Disease Control) shows that driving under the influence (DUI) is on the decline not only in certain areas, but nationwide. In four years, the number of drunk drivers has dropped by more than 25 percent. There are no specific reasons for the decline, according to a CDC behavioral scientist, Gwen Berger, the drop in drunk driving incidents may be due to economic reasons; however there may be other reasons behind the decline as well.

Berger stated, “People have cut back on leisure driving due to the economic downturn.” She said that most people seem to be drinking more at home as opposed to a bar or restaurant.

Alcohol Related Fatalities Nationwide

However, despite the figures from the CDC, the number of people drinking and driving still remains high. For example, last year alone there was more than 100 million of driving while intoxicated (DWI) incidents in the country – most of the drivers were adults. So despite the decline, DWI is still a major concern, especially in states where the number of alcohol-related fatalities still remains high.

Dangers of Driving While Intoxicated

The new ignition interlocks law that is in place to deter drunk driving requires all second-time DWI offenders to install this device in their vehicles. The ignition interlocks prevent drunk drivers from operating their vehicles if they have high blood alcohol content (BAC). This new law will play a major role in helping to reduce drunk driving incidents nationwide.

Is Drunk Driving Really on the Decline?

Do you believe that there is a decline in drunk driving cases nationwide, or are drunk drivers just not getting caught? Could the figures from the CDC be incorrect?

What’s your opinion? Please leave your comments below.

DUI, DWI cases, Drunk DrivingNo Comments »CDC Drunk Driving Incidents DUI DWI Case DWI Offender

Can Community Supervision Strategies Curb Drunk Driving?

Posted on Jan 18, 2012

It is projected that approximately 15,000 fatalities related to drunk driving will be recorded this year in the country. This is disturbing news. Regardless of these shocking numbers, scores of citizens will still partake in the deadly practice of getting behind the wheel after having too many drinks. Some just don’t comprehend that by driving under influence they are placing their life, as well as the lives of their passengers and of other drivers and pedestrians in jeopardy. Some statistics state that 50 percent of all traffic mishaps happen because of drunk driving. That is why cities and municipalities are seeking to curb drunk driving through community supervision strategies.

How Community Supervision Curbs Drunk Driving

Community supervision curbs drunk driving by setting up promotions in opposition to DUI at the local level. In the course of these promotions, citizens are made aware of the dangers of DUI. They also spread awareness about the actions that can be taken to reduce incidences of drunk driving. An example of this is when communities promote the practice of designating a person to drive when a group goes to a party or a bar.

Communities Can Promote Individual Accountability to Curb Drunk Driving

Community supervision means people taking individual accountability for themselves and for their families, co-workers, friends and acquaintances. Community members must drive home the message that no one should drive after drinking. When someone is aware of anyone about to drive after drinking, they must make an effort to find transportation to take them home.

Community Supervision Strategies Can Endorse Stringent Regulations

Community supervision strategies work to curb drunk driving by endorsing stringent regulations at the local, state, and the federal levels. These measures include:

• Jail time for offenders
• Revoking of licenses
• Suspension of licenses
• Interlock devices
• Heavy fines, etc.

Communities Can Intervene To Prevent Drunk Driving

If an individual sees some drunken person behind the wheel, he must call law enforcement agencies right away and provide them with the plate number and description of the person’s vehicle. This will help communities cope with the menace of driving under the influence of alcohol and save countless lives as well.

Helping Those in the Community Who Drink and Drive

Individuals who have an alcohol problem need to find a solution for this problem. Communities can assist such people by promoting Alcoholics Anonymous and other rehabilitation programs that care for people with drinking issues. When these citizens learn to control their problem it will decrease the odds of them driving under the influence of alcohol in the future.

Community supervision strategies can definitely curb drunk driving or at least reduce the number of incidences. This menace can be curbed with community support and recommendations.

Alcohol Abuse, DUI, DWI, DWI Issues, DWI cases, Drunk DrivingNo Comments »Alcohol Abuse Community Supervision Drunk Driving DUI DWI Issues

How to Prevent Drunk Driving in Working Professionals?

Posted on Jan 11, 2012

DUI has been a continuing problem not just across the country but all around the globe. Many of those arrested for DUI are working professionals. An assortment of associations and advocacy groups has put together a diverse method of programs, legislations, and plans but none have been able to figure out how to prevent drunk driving in working professionals.

Working Professionals and DUI

The problem seems to be going on and on. It appears that every time you look at a news broadcast, there is an account of a working professional that has caused a drunk driving accident. This dilemma has almost become intolerable in the general public. A few ideas that have been discussed around the nation to overcome this DUI problem include:

Increased Legislation to Prevent DWI in Working Professionals

In some states there is a successfully implemented legislation which bans open containers in municipal areas; this ban includes open containers in vehicles as well. Even if this kind of legislation is effective in these states is has not been proven, however empirical evidence seems to suggest it works.

Special Identification for Repeat Offenders

Another idea that has been suggested in some circles is specially designated license plates for those who have been convicted of drunk driving. There can also be an indicator on their driver’s license signifying their DWI convictions.

Restrictions of DWI Offenders Driving Privileges

There is also the idea of restricting nighttime driving of offenders and for those with multiple conviction of DWI. Electronic devices can be used to keeping an eye on those who repeatedly drive while drunk. Ankle bracelets can also be installed with breath analyzing devices that disable the cars of repeat offenders if that have elevated blood alcohol levels.

DWI Education and Instruction

Many have suggested that the government should provide extra instruction in schools and universities along with additional information concerning alcohol abuse and drunk driving to those applying for drivers licenses. Government entities can also use the money for DUI fines to increase the amount of public service announcements on television and radio.

Constant Reminders Are Needed

A little more education, awareness, and harsher consequences would probably be the best mixture to prevent drunk driving in working professionals. Furthermore, producing a sense of social unacceptability could further reduce drunk driving incidents in the future. Constant reminders of the hazards of drinking and driving drive home the point much more effectively than one-time seasonal ads and newspaper articles.

Alcohol Abuse, DUI, DWI, Drunk DrivingNo Comments »Alcohol Abuse Drunk Driving DUI DWI conviction DWI Offender Working Professionals