• 31
  • August
    2010

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently released the results of a nationwide survey designed to learn more about the prevalence of driving while intoxicated (DWI) and the general attitude toward this type of conduct.

According to the NHTSA survey:

• 8 percent of people admitted to driving while intoxicated at least one time during the course of the past year
• 20 percent of people admitted to operating a motor vehicle within two hours of consuming an alcoholic beverage during the course of the past year
• 8 percent of people admitted to riding as a passenger in a motor vehicle being driven by someone they believed was too intoxicated to drive
• 40 percent of people believed they could drive safely after consuming three drinks
• 11 percent of people believed they could drive safely after consuming five drinks

Given these statistics and the fact that nearly a third of all fatal car accidents in the United States are caused by drunk drivers, it should come as no surprise that law enforcement officials around the country are ramping up their efforts to combat drinking and driving.

In fact, the federal government is spending upwards of $13 million on television and radio advertisements designed to outline the consequences of drunk driving ("if you drive drunk, you will be arrested").

In addition, law enforcement officials across the country are planning increased DWI checkpoints and patrols over Labor Day weekend, a prime summer holiday.

Please remember, if you are arrested for DWI and are thinking about trying to save money by using a public defender or handling the matter yourself, you may want to reconsider. An experienced DWI defense attorney will know the best way to handle your ALR hearing to protect your driver's license, as well as the strategies that the police and prosecutors are likely to use in their case. By having your own attorney at your side throughout the process, you will be protected from saying or doing anything that will be used against you in court.

Today's post was for informational purposes only and not to be construed as legal advice. Stay tuned for more from our Dallas criminal defense blog ... 

Related Resources:
  
• Government Study: 1 in 12 Drivers Admit Driving Drunk (USA Today)