The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that impaired driving accounts for more than 16,000 deaths, one million injuries, and $45 billion in costs to our society every year. Among these numbers are many young adults.

Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) wants everyone to know that driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs is illegal. Drivers are also at risk of injuring themselves, passengers, and/or others should they choose to drive drunk and/or drugged. SADD says the common effects of being under the influence include:

• Slow reaction time
• Alteration of depth perception
• Hyperactivity from a high
• Reduction of peripheral vision
• Confusion
• Drowsiness
• Lack of awareness of surroundings
• Impaired driving puts teens at higher risks of injury or death

SADD says young people need to think before they drink and drive because:

• Alcohol use can lead to a criminal record in several ways. The actions teens take under the influence of alcohol are more likely to lead to criminal conduct.
• A slight altercation can turn into a brawl with physical harm or property damage, a romantic evening can turn into a rape or a charge of rape, and a car crash can cause injury or death.
• Legal consequences can include fines, restitution, victim payments, community service, probation, and incarceration.
• Getting caught buying or possessing alcohol can have serious lifelong negative consequences because it is a violation of the law.
• An arrest, prosecution, or conviction for attempted purchase or possession of alcohol will be expensive and embarrassing, will disappoint family and friends, perhaps permanently altering their opinion of a young person’s character and will send a dangerous message to younger children, and may lead to suspension or expulsion from a job, a team, or a school.
• In many cases, alcohol has ruined a young person’s plans and dreams for life.Lee County Coalition for a Drug-Free Southwest Florida has a mission to “reduce substance abuse in Lee County by raising awareness of prevention resources through collaboration, education, and inspiration.” The coalition provides resources and information to the public at its website: https://www.drugfreeswfl.org/resources-information/.

"We at Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. have seen the devastation caused by driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. We urge the public to not drink and drive. Should you or a loved one be injured in an accident because of the negligence of another, please call our experienced team. We are available 24/7 to assist you, and there are no costs or attorney fees until we receive a monetary recovery for you,” said Fort Myers DUI Accident Attorney Randall Spivey.    

Fort Myers DUI Accident Attorney Randall L. Spivey is a Board Certified Trial Attorney – the highest recognition for competence bestowed by the Florida Bar and a distinction earned by just one percent (1%) of Florida attorneys. He has handled over 2,000 personal injury and wrongful death cases throughout Florida. For a free and confidential consultation to discuss your legal rights, contact Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A., in Lee County at 239.337.7483 or toll-free at 1.888.477.4839,or by email to Randall@SpiveyLaw.com. Visit SpiveyLaw.com for more information. You can contact Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A.in Charlotte County at 941.764.7748 and in Collier County at 239.793.7748.