First, here are the facts as reported by MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving): 

• Every 2 minutes, someone is injured in a drunk-driving crash.
• Every 51 minutes, someone is killed in a drunk-driving crash.
• 2 out of 3 people will be impacted by a drunk-driving crash in their lifetime.
• About 1/3 of all drivers arrested or convicted of drunk driving are repeat offenders.
• 1 in 4 car crashes with teenagers involved an underage drunk driver. 

According to MADD, its campaign to eliminate drunk driving consists of equal parts of prevention and invention. 

Prevention:

1. High visibility law enforcement through sobriety checkpoints 

One of the most effective enforcement tools is sobriety checkpoints, which are proven to reduce fatalities by 20 percent.  Checkpoints are typically publicized in advance and signs are posted at the approach to the checkpoints.  Vehicles are stopped in a specific sequence (e.g., every other vehicle or every fourth vehicle) at predetermined points on the roadway. 

2. Ignition interlock devices 

West Virginia, Arizona, Louisiana and New Mexico have all seen their drunk-driving deaths drop dramatically after all-offender interlock laws were passed.  CDC research finds reductions in repeat offenses of about two-thirds due to interlocks. 

Invention: 

1. Autonomous vehicle technology 

Tomorrow’s cars will protect our families from drunk driving by automatically determining whether or not the driver is above the legal limit of .08 BAC and failing to operate if the driver is impaired. 

2. Driver alcohol detection systems for safety (DADSS) 

Together, MADD and DADSS are working toward a nation free from drunk driving.  These devices will be accurate, reliable and totally transparent to you and me. They would only come into play if someone tries to drive above a 0.08 BAC. There are two technologies being studied, one is a touch-based system that can read the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) through your fingertips, and the other is an air-sampling system that can test and isolate just the air exhaled by the driver.  Both of these systems are well on their way to being tested in real vehicles. 

Florida’s efforts to reduce DUI 

Florida has implemented the following strategies to reduce DUIs: 

• Sobriety checkpoints allow police to briefly stop vehicles at specific, highly visible locations to see if the driver is impaired. Breath tests may be given if police have a reason to suspect the driver is intoxicated. 

• Ignition interlocks installed in cars measure alcohol on the driver’s breath. Interlocks keep the car from starting if the driver has a BAC above a certain level, usually 0.02%. They’re used for people convicted of drunk driving and are highly effective at preventing repeat offenses while installed. 

• Mass media campaigns spread messages about the physical dangers and legal consequences of drunk driving. 

• Administrative license revocation or suspension laws allow police to take away the license of a driver who tests at or above the legal BAC limit or who refuses testing. 

• Alcohol screening and brief interventions take advantage of “teachable moments” to identify people at risk for alcohol problems and get them treatment as needed. 

What you can do to avoid a DUI? 

DrunkDrivingPrevention.com says: 

1. Enlist a Designated Driver - Find a friend who does not drink to be your designated driver. 

2. Pay for a taxi – If you can’t find any friends to be your designated sober driver, call a taxi. 

3. Plan to stay with a friend – If finding a safe ride home seems out of the question, think about asking a friend if you can stay the night with him or her. 

4. Get a motel room for the evening – If you can’t stay with a friend, get a motel room for the evening. 

5. If planning on getting a ride home or staying somewhere is getting too complicated, then think about NOT going out. 

“Drinking and driving is still an issue on our roadways. If you or a loved one has been injured as a result of someone else’s poor decision to drive while under the influence of alcohol, contact our Fort Myers DUI Accident Attorneys. We are available to assist you 24/7 to discuss your rights,” said Attorney Randall Spivey of Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys P.A. 

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 (1%) percent 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 the 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 239.793.7748.