Happy Holidays! Don't drink and drive, need I remind you! Holiday parties are common and it's that time of the year again, DUI time. The holiday season is the biggest spike in DUI's during the year, good for DUI attorneys but bad for everyone else. Please be safe, take a cab, or just don't drink if your driving.
But, let's look at some numbers. Way more Americans die each year from drunk driving then we have lost in the entire war in Iraq. In fact, about as many Americans die in Pennsylvania alone as they do in the whole war every month. This is a sad reality, but we have actually improved since the US started getting serious about the problem. Harsh punishments for DUI offenders has worked. In Pennsylvania 1048 people died in drunk driving accidents in 1992, now that is down to 556 in 2006. Obviously 556 fatalities in one state is still way to high, but I think it shows that the DUI laws are saving lives. So, enjoy the holiday season, and enjoy a stiff egg nog and brandy when you get home from the party!
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Drunk Driving Deaths Decline
Drunk Driving Fatalities Fall Nation Wide.
Although the nation still looses three times as many people to drunk driving in one year as we lost in both Iraq wars combined, the numbers have declined.
Here is the announcement by US Transportation Secretary, Mary Peters.
DUI Fatalities Down Nationwide and in 32 States,Says U.S. Secretary of Transportation Mary PetersAnnouncement Comes as Federal, State and Local Governments Launch Massive Enforcement Crackdown and Advertising Blitz for Labor Day Weekend New national figures released today show a significant decline in the number of drunk driving-related fatalities occurring nationally and in 32 individual states, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Mary Peters announced. However, the Secretary noted that the number of alcohol related fatalities among motorcyclists is climbing in half of the states. “More drivers are getting the message that if you drink and drive, you will be caught, you will be arrested and you will go to jail,” said Secretary Peters. “But as good as this progress is, in this day and age there is simply no excuse for someone to drink and then drive.”
Secretary Peters noted that last year an estimated 12,998 people were killed in crashes where a vehicle operator had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher. She said that represented a 3.7 percent decline from the 13,491 fatalities in 2006. However, figures showing that 25 states experienced an increase in the number of drunk motorcycle riders involved in fatal crashes was disappointing, the Secretary said.
The Secretary added that the Department was working with law enforcement agencies across the nation to launch stepped-up drunk driving enforcement efforts during the Labor Day holiday period. She added that the Department also was investing $13 million in advertising during the holiday weekend to deliver the message, “Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest.”
A National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) advertising campaign this year will include media outlets and information sources that are most likely to reach high risk demographic groups. The agency is using more web-based outreach, teaming up with alternative media partners. The new ads are being seen on message banners on well-known social media sites, internet TV programming, mobile devices and even PC-based video games.
Secretary Peters also reminded drivers – and motorcycle riders – attending holiday gatherings that if they plan to drink, that they make arrangements for a ride home with a sober driver.
NHTSA’s new statistical report on 2007 alcohol-related fatalities is drawn from the agency’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS)
Although the nation still looses three times as many people to drunk driving in one year as we lost in both Iraq wars combined, the numbers have declined.
Here is the announcement by US Transportation Secretary, Mary Peters.
DUI Fatalities Down Nationwide and in 32 States,Says U.S. Secretary of Transportation Mary PetersAnnouncement Comes as Federal, State and Local Governments Launch Massive Enforcement Crackdown and Advertising Blitz for Labor Day Weekend New national figures released today show a significant decline in the number of drunk driving-related fatalities occurring nationally and in 32 individual states, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Mary Peters announced. However, the Secretary noted that the number of alcohol related fatalities among motorcyclists is climbing in half of the states. “More drivers are getting the message that if you drink and drive, you will be caught, you will be arrested and you will go to jail,” said Secretary Peters. “But as good as this progress is, in this day and age there is simply no excuse for someone to drink and then drive.”
Secretary Peters noted that last year an estimated 12,998 people were killed in crashes where a vehicle operator had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher. She said that represented a 3.7 percent decline from the 13,491 fatalities in 2006. However, figures showing that 25 states experienced an increase in the number of drunk motorcycle riders involved in fatal crashes was disappointing, the Secretary said.
The Secretary added that the Department was working with law enforcement agencies across the nation to launch stepped-up drunk driving enforcement efforts during the Labor Day holiday period. She added that the Department also was investing $13 million in advertising during the holiday weekend to deliver the message, “Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest.”
A National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) advertising campaign this year will include media outlets and information sources that are most likely to reach high risk demographic groups. The agency is using more web-based outreach, teaming up with alternative media partners. The new ads are being seen on message banners on well-known social media sites, internet TV programming, mobile devices and even PC-based video games.
Secretary Peters also reminded drivers – and motorcycle riders – attending holiday gatherings that if they plan to drink, that they make arrangements for a ride home with a sober driver.
NHTSA’s new statistical report on 2007 alcohol-related fatalities is drawn from the agency’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS)
Sunday, August 17, 2008
PA DUI statistics
Pennsylvania's alcohol-related fatalities were highest in 1982, with 1,048, dropped for a few years and then increased to nearly the same level in both 1986 and 1987. The percentage of traffic fatalities that were alcohol related was also highest in 1982, with 58%, and steadily dropped, reaching its lowest level in 2006, with 37%. In the most recent year reported, out of all traffic fatalities, 32% involved a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 or higher, down from 52% in 1982.
Year Fatalities Tot Alc-Rel % 0.08+ %
1982 1,819 1,048 58 942 52
1983 1,721 980 57 898 52
1984 1,727 934 54 840 49
1985 1,771 961 54 857 48
1986 1,894 1,042 55 923 49
1987 1,987 1,042 52 939 47
1988 1,931 935 48 844 44
1989 1,877 981 52 882 47
1990 1,646 846 51 752 46
1991 1,661 807 49 720 43
1992 1,545 729 47 644 42
1993 1,529 700 46 628 41
1994 1,441 612 42 541 38
1995 1,480 619 42 546 37
1996 1,469 588 40 532 36
1997 1,557 626 40 562 36
1998 1,481 642 43 573 39
1999 1,549 618 40 538 35
2000 1,520 647 43 582 38
2001 1,532 646 42 566 37
2002 1,614 649 40 556 34
2003 1,577 618 39 542 34
2004 1,490 614 41 541 36
2005 1,616 636 39 559 35
2006 1,517 556 37 487 32
The table above shows the total number of traffic fatalities (Tot) for the Pennsylvania, alcohol related fatalities (Alc-Rel) and fatalities in crashes where the highest BAC in the crash was 0.08 or above (0.08+).
It is important to note that the Pennsylvania drunk driving statistics, as shown above, include data from individuals who were in an alcohol-related crash, but not driving a motor vehicle at the time. The U.S. Department of Transportation defines alcohol-related deaths as "fatalities that occur in crashes where at least one driver or non-occupant (pedestrian or bicyclist) involved in the crash has a positive Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) value."
The fatality rates shown above refer to the number of people killed in all traffic accidents and, separately, in alcohol related traffic accidents, per 100 million vehicle miles traveled.
All 50 states in the US now apply two statutory offenses to driving under the influence of alcohol. The first (and original) offense is known either as driving under the influence (DUI), driving while intoxicated/impaired (DWI), or operating [a motor vehicle] while intoxicated/impaired (OWI). This is based upon a police officer's observations (driving behavior, slurred speech, the results of a roadside sobriety test, etc.)
The second offense is called "illegal per se", which is driving with a BAC of 0.08% or higher. Since 2002 it has been illegal in all 50 states to drive with a BAC that is 0.08% or higher.
Criminal status of DUI laws in Pennsylvania
In Pennsylvania, 1st or 2nd offenses are 2nd degree misdemeanors, 3rd or subsequent offenses are 1st degree misdemeanors. Citation:18 § 1104(1) & (2) & 75 §3731(e)(1) (2)
Sources for Pennsylvania drunk driving information and statistics
US Dept. of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 12/02(2) National Conference of State Legislatures, 2004
Year Fatalities Tot Alc-Rel % 0.08+ %
1982 1,819 1,048 58 942 52
1983 1,721 980 57 898 52
1984 1,727 934 54 840 49
1985 1,771 961 54 857 48
1986 1,894 1,042 55 923 49
1987 1,987 1,042 52 939 47
1988 1,931 935 48 844 44
1989 1,877 981 52 882 47
1990 1,646 846 51 752 46
1991 1,661 807 49 720 43
1992 1,545 729 47 644 42
1993 1,529 700 46 628 41
1994 1,441 612 42 541 38
1995 1,480 619 42 546 37
1996 1,469 588 40 532 36
1997 1,557 626 40 562 36
1998 1,481 642 43 573 39
1999 1,549 618 40 538 35
2000 1,520 647 43 582 38
2001 1,532 646 42 566 37
2002 1,614 649 40 556 34
2003 1,577 618 39 542 34
2004 1,490 614 41 541 36
2005 1,616 636 39 559 35
2006 1,517 556 37 487 32
The table above shows the total number of traffic fatalities (Tot) for the Pennsylvania, alcohol related fatalities (Alc-Rel) and fatalities in crashes where the highest BAC in the crash was 0.08 or above (0.08+).
It is important to note that the Pennsylvania drunk driving statistics, as shown above, include data from individuals who were in an alcohol-related crash, but not driving a motor vehicle at the time. The U.S. Department of Transportation defines alcohol-related deaths as "fatalities that occur in crashes where at least one driver or non-occupant (pedestrian or bicyclist) involved in the crash has a positive Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) value."
The fatality rates shown above refer to the number of people killed in all traffic accidents and, separately, in alcohol related traffic accidents, per 100 million vehicle miles traveled.
All 50 states in the US now apply two statutory offenses to driving under the influence of alcohol. The first (and original) offense is known either as driving under the influence (DUI), driving while intoxicated/impaired (DWI), or operating [a motor vehicle] while intoxicated/impaired (OWI). This is based upon a police officer's observations (driving behavior, slurred speech, the results of a roadside sobriety test, etc.)
The second offense is called "illegal per se", which is driving with a BAC of 0.08% or higher. Since 2002 it has been illegal in all 50 states to drive with a BAC that is 0.08% or higher.
Criminal status of DUI laws in Pennsylvania
In Pennsylvania, 1st or 2nd offenses are 2nd degree misdemeanors, 3rd or subsequent offenses are 1st degree misdemeanors. Citation:18 § 1104(1) & (2) & 75 §3731(e)(1) (2)
Sources for Pennsylvania drunk driving information and statistics
US Dept. of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 12/02(2) National Conference of State Legislatures, 2004
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
DUI Offender Ordered to Carry Photo of Victim
It's the busy time of year for DUI attorneys, people seem to be getting them left and right and my phone hasn't stopped ringing. Good for me, bad for them. Over all it is sad though, I just wanted to share a penalty that was handed down to a drunk driver in PA in 2002. The drunk driver actually killed a young girl and was ordered to carry a picture of the victim in his wallet. His lawyer objected to that portion of the punishment but was over ruled. The judge decided to allow this being it was requested by the victims family. This punishment has always stuck in my mind for some reason and I wanted to share the story with everyone.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
What to do if you get a DUI in Lancaster, PA
Lancaster County Pennsylvania DUI charges check list.
Court Rating DUI of strictness: 7.5 (out of 10)
Step One:
1) Call an attorney. I recomend this Lancaster DUI lawyer
2) If it's your first offence you are allegable for ARD, this will be a sweet deal. Bassicaly you are one of the million people charged each year in PA and this is your slap on the wrist (granted it might feel more like a punch to the face).
If this is your second or third offence you are going to need an attorney to fight for you. See #1.
For higher numbers of offenses your going to need to beat this rap or you are facing serious jailtime.
3) Join AA. Go to the meatings, get them documented.
4) Pre-trial at the court house. Obay your attorneys advise. Act very remorseful.
Court Rating DUI of strictness: 7.5 (out of 10)
Step One:
1) Call an attorney. I recomend this Lancaster DUI lawyer
2) If it's your first offence you are allegable for ARD, this will be a sweet deal. Bassicaly you are one of the million people charged each year in PA and this is your slap on the wrist (granted it might feel more like a punch to the face).
If this is your second or third offence you are going to need an attorney to fight for you. See #1.
For higher numbers of offenses your going to need to beat this rap or you are facing serious jailtime.
3) Join AA. Go to the meatings, get them documented.
4) Pre-trial at the court house. Obay your attorneys advise. Act very remorseful.
Saturday, April 12, 2008
PA Troopers Push on Labor Day
Pennsylvania State troopers are planning a push for the 2008 Labor Day holiday period. Roving patrols and check points are currently in their planning stages. Please be warned and be safe, they do this for a reason and it does net a lot of drunk drivers.
Seasonal DUI's: Holiday DUI's still working through system
Believe it or not the courts are still processing DUI's from the holidays. This is a good time to be a DUI attorney and that brings me to the topic of seasonal trends in the DUI's. Here in Pennsylvania the trend is that early spring/ late winter is the season for cleaning out the holiday DUI's. Late summer and early fall are also busy times for processing drunk driving offenses through the courts, as that is when summer cases tend to hit. Higher then average flow through the courts also occurs during the Christmas season due to those busted during the "biggest bar night of the year" (the night before Thanks Giving) and Thanks Giving weekend. This is due to students being home and continuing their campus antics with their old friends. The problem is they can't walk home like on campus. Bust for them, boom for DUI attorneys.
Anyhow, these are the general seasonal trends associated with DUI offences. It's obvious that the police are on to trends of drinking and driving as well. They coordinate their anti-drunk driving marketing and their patrol efforts to coordinate with these times. So as always, be smart and know that they know, for your sake and everyone on the roads.
Anyhow, these are the general seasonal trends associated with DUI offences. It's obvious that the police are on to trends of drinking and driving as well. They coordinate their anti-drunk driving marketing and their patrol efforts to coordinate with these times. So as always, be smart and know that they know, for your sake and everyone on the roads.
Monday, January 28, 2008
For what reason can I be pulled over for a DUI?
The officer must have what is legally termed a "reasonable suspicion," based on something unusual that is actually observed about the way a person is driving. This is a very low standard and it can be satisfied by virtually anything which appears out of the ordinary and that might be a sign of a driver being under the influence. In addition, during holiday seasons, police officers typically set up field sobriety checkpoints where they routinely stop every driver who passes through the checkpoint. These checkpoints do not require the officer to observe anything suspicious about a person before stopping and investigating someone.
Remember, you don't have to be drunk to get a DUI / DWI either. Know your limit per your weight.
Remember, you don't have to be drunk to get a DUI / DWI either. Know your limit per your weight.
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Pennsylvania DUI and DWI traffic statistics for Thanks Giving 2007
The State Police of Pennsylvania released there figures for the 2007 Thanks Giving holiday. According to there press release:
"Ten people were killed in crashes during the five-day Thanksgiving holiday driving period, Commissioner Jeffrey B. Miller said today.
He said 320 others were injured in the 1,064 crashes investigated by troopers during the period that began Nov. 21 and ended Nov. 25.
Miller said seven of those killed were not wearing seat belts and four died in alcohol-related crashes. Of the 1,064 crashes, 84 were alcohol-related, he said.
State police issued 7,606 speeding citations, arrested 390 individuals for driving under the influence, cited 528 people for not wearing seat belts and issued citations to 71 for failing to properly restrain children in child safety seats during the period.
During last year’s five-day Thanksgiving holiday driving period, 10 people were killed and 378 others were injured in the 1,085 crashes to which state police responded. Also during that period, troopers issued 6,490 speeding citations, arrested 370 individuals for driving under the influence, cited 488 people for not wearing seat belts and issued citations to 63 for failing to properly restrain children in child safety seats.
The crash numbers cover only those incidents investigated by state police and do not include statistics on crashes to which other law-enforcement agencies responded."
"Ten people were killed in crashes during the five-day Thanksgiving holiday driving period, Commissioner Jeffrey B. Miller said today.
He said 320 others were injured in the 1,064 crashes investigated by troopers during the period that began Nov. 21 and ended Nov. 25.
Miller said seven of those killed were not wearing seat belts and four died in alcohol-related crashes. Of the 1,064 crashes, 84 were alcohol-related, he said.
State police issued 7,606 speeding citations, arrested 390 individuals for driving under the influence, cited 528 people for not wearing seat belts and issued citations to 71 for failing to properly restrain children in child safety seats during the period.
During last year’s five-day Thanksgiving holiday driving period, 10 people were killed and 378 others were injured in the 1,085 crashes to which state police responded. Also during that period, troopers issued 6,490 speeding citations, arrested 370 individuals for driving under the influence, cited 488 people for not wearing seat belts and issued citations to 63 for failing to properly restrain children in child safety seats.
The crash numbers cover only those incidents investigated by state police and do not include statistics on crashes to which other law-enforcement agencies responded."
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