South Carolina Still Has A High Rate Of Drunk Driving, Despite Strict Laws
Everyone knows that it is dangerous to drive under the influence of alcohol, but people still do it. Alcohol is a contributing factor in approximately one third of fatal accidents. Of course, many of the victims of drunk driving accidents were sober at the time of the collision; some of them were too young to drink alcohol or drive. Meanwhile, public transportation options are limited in most parts of South Carolina, which means that, at any moment, numerous South Carolinians are at risk of sharing the road with drunk drivers. Despite its relatively small population South Carolina ranks eighth in the nation for the number of drunk driving-related arrests. South Carolina law takes drunk driving very seriously, requiring ignition interlock devices in many cases. If you have been injured in a car accident where the at fault driver was under the influence of alcohol, contact a Columbia car accident lawyer.
University Cautions Students Against the Dangers of Drunk Driving
According to the National Traffic Safety Administration, 401 people died in alcohol-related car accidents in 2021, the most recent year for which data has been released. This figure represents a 26 percent increase above 2020, when, due to restrictions imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, people did considerably less driving than they did in most years.
Clemson University, known for its vibrant party scene, issued a statement warning students of the dangers of drunk driving. Since June, the Clemson University Police Department has arrested 38 students for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The most concerning thing, according to a spokesperson for CUPD, is that some of the impaired drivers had a blood alcohol content (BAC) well in excess of the legal limit of 0.08 percent. The highest BAC recorded this year was 0.29 percent, which is three-and-a-half times the legal limit and poses a serious risk of severe alcohol poisoning.
Your Rights If You Get Injured by a Drunk Driver
In criminal cases involving DUI, the strongest evidence against the drunk driver is usually the driver’s BAC. Sometimes drunk drivers refuse to provide blood samples in an effort to reduce their chances of being convicted of DUI. Likewise, drunk drivers who cause accidents that result in serious injury might plead guilty to lesser charges in the context of a plea deal in order to avoid a long prison sentence.
In other words, the proceedings of the criminal court might not reflect just how egregious the drunk driver’s negligence was in causing the accident that resulted in your injuries. A car accident lawyer can help you get the money you need to cover your medical bills related to the drunk driving accident, whether through insurance claims or civil lawsuits.
Let Us Help You Today
The car accident lawyers at the Stanley Law Group can help you if you were injured in a car accident caused by a driver under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Contact The Stanley Law Group in Columbia, South Carolina or call (803)799-4700 for a free initial consultation.
Source:
upstatetoday.com/news/mullen-duis-on-the-rise-in-sc/article_bff233a2-8b56-11ee-a1f8-07653239d382.html
