Drunk Driving Takes Holidays from Festive to Fatal
The holidays are a time for tradition, a time for family and fun, a time to relax and revel in the company of friends and loved ones. The holidays, however, can also be a time of tragedy and danger.
Drunk driving arrests, accidents, and deaths are higher during the holidays than at any other time of the year. Moreover, AAA predicts that this Christmas travel season will be the busiest since 2006, with 93.3 millions Americans hitting the road. If you will be one of those 93.3 million travelers, don’t drink and drive. If you are a victim of an alcohol-related accident, or a family member is injured or killed at the hands of a drunk driver, contact the Missouri personal injury lawyers at The S.E. Farris Law Firm immediately. Call 314-A-LAWYER (314-252-9937) for a free consultation.
Missouri DUI Prevention & Punishment
The Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety launched its annual DUI Holiday Campaign earlier this week. Its mission is to reduce impaired driving incidents by encouraging motorists to call a cab or designate a sober driver. St. Louis police are assisting in the campaign with targeted enforcement efforts, including increased DWI checkpoints, which began December 10th.
Despite all of this, drunk driving persists as a tragic companion to the holiday season. Just last month, 9-year-old David W. Simpson of Winfield was killed on the eve of Thanksgiving, due to a drunk driving accident. The intoxicated driver’s pickup truck crossed the centerline of Missouri 47 and smashed into the vehicle carrying the boy, injuring its three passengers and causing Simpson’s death.
Missouri drivers who cause a fatal crash while driving drunk can be charged with involuntary manslaughter and receive up to a seven-year prison sentence. Repeat DUI offenders face fines, license suspensions, court-mandated treatment programs, or are required to have ignition interlocks installed in their personal vehicles. First-time DUI offenders rarely receive prison sentences and can continue driving shortly after their conviction.
In any case, a civil suit is necessary to hold the drunk driver responsible for any damages incurred as the result of his or her accident.
Contact a St. Louis Personal Injury Attorney
We represent DUI accident victims on a contingency basis so you will pay nothing unless we win compensation for you. To speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer, please contact us today at 314-A-LAWYER (252-9937) today to arrange a free evaluation.