From one side of Texas to the next, there are people who push the limits of the law and decide to drink and drive. While many get away with this, some are caught by police and brought to justice.
Drunk driving accidents can be serious, both for the person under the influence as well as any others who are involved in the crash.
According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), Texas is tops in the nation in terms of drunk driving deaths. In 2011, 1,213 people were killed in an accident involving a drunk driver.
Other statistics worth noting from the state of Texas include:
16,882 alcohol related crash injuries25,671 alcohol related crashes89,256 DUI arrests
With this continuing to be a big problem in Texas, the number of drunk driving deaths and injuries in the years to come could remain the same or increase.
MADD is hoping to do its part in making the state a safer place to drive. In 2015, it will fight for ignition interlocks for all convicted drunk drivers. If successful, this would ensure that people who have been convicted of DUI in the past will be unable to do so again in the near future.
Some drunk driving accidents only involve one car. Others, however, are multi-vehicle accidents, which increas the chance of multiple injuries or deaths.
It only takes one driver being under the influence to cause a serious accident that injures or kills one or more people. If somebody is killed in such an accident, their loved ones often consider a lawsuit against the at-fault party.
Source: Mothers Against Drunk Driving, “Texas – Mothers Against Drunk Driving” Aug. 18, 2014