New York City drunk-driving accident attorneys urge all motorists to be sober every time they get behind the wheel throughout the holiday season.
Holiday celebrations can often lead to a slew of accidents where someone is killed or seriously injured in a drunk driving accident in Nassau County or elsewhere throughout the state. Rather than risk a drunk-driving accident this holiday season, prepare to drink responsible or designate a driver so you can get home safely.
In 2009, Mothers Against Drunk Driving New York (MADD) successfully passed legislation to keep repeat drunk-driving offenders off of New York roadways. “Leandra’s Law” requires convicted drunk drivers to have ignition interlocks installed in their vehicle. The law also considers any drunk driver found with a child passenger in the vehicle to be committing a felony and charged accordingly.
The New York Daily News reported recently that MADD advocates want New York’s Leandra Law to be a gold standard for all states in keeping kids and streets safe from drunk drivers. Leandra was an 11-year-old girl who was killed in a drunk-driving accident in 2009.
Far too many lives are taken from children riding in the back seat with someone who gets behind the wheel to drive after having consumed considerable amounts of alcohol. More than 1,400 drunk drivers have been arrested in New York on the basis of Leandra’s Law since the law was adopted in 2009. To date, only three other states, Oklahoma, Texas and Arizona, have similar laws pertaining to drunk-driving violators. MADD advocates hope to change that as they address representatives in Washington and push for all states to pass legislation that deter drivers from getting behind the wheel intoxicated. MADD offices located in each state will also start by pushing local judiciary leaders to adopt their own version of the New York law.
Motorists are not the only ones who should be concerned about drunk drivers this holiday season. USA Today recently reported that new data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration states that pedestrians are at severe risk of being involved in a drunk-driving accident. In 2009, almost half of pedestrian deaths were caused by alcohol-impairment of either the driver or pedestrian. More specifically, 35 percent of the pedestrians killed were legally drunk in 2009, in addition to 13 percent of pedestrian deaths being caused by an impaired driver. Both driver and pedestrian were drunk in 6 percent of pedestrian deaths in 2009.
So as New Yorkers make New Year’s resolutions this holiday season, keep in mind a solemn vow to drink responsibly and use extra caution every time you make plans to attend a party or gathering throughout the year. Staying sober can keep all motorists and pedestrians from being involved in a drunk driving accident.
Contact the drunk-driving accident attorneys at the Law Offices of Nicholas Rose, PLLC if you or someone close to you has been seriously injured or killed by a drunk driver in New York City or the surrounding areas. Call 1-877-313-7673 to receive a free consultation. An attorney is available to speak with you 24 hours a day.
Additional Resources:
Mothers Against Drunk Driving wants New York’s ‘Leandra’s Law” to go national, by Glenn Blain, New York Daily News.
As U.S. road deaths drop, more pedestrians getting struck, by Larry Copeland, USA Today.
More Blog Entries:
Drivers Impaired by Alcohol or Marijuana Place Other Motorists at High Risk of Manhattan Car Accidents, New York Injury Lawyer Blog, August 9, 2011.
St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations Increase Risks for New York Car Accidents, New York Injury Lawyer Blog, March 16, 2011.
Resolve to Stay Safe: Don’t Let Drinking and Driving Lead to New York Car Accidents, New York Injury Lawyer Blog, January 2, 2011.
