A Colorado Springs Car Accident Lawyer Explains
The holidays mean festive parties in Colorado. They also mean too many people driving under the influence of alcohol and other drugs.
While the dangers of drunk driving have been known for years, far too many people in Colorado make the reckless decision to get behind the wheel of a car when they've had too much alcohol—putting themselves and others at risk of a car accident that results in severe injury or death.
Funding Awarded to Combat Drunk Driving
In response, Colorado is among five states that have received funding and Uber ride credits to combat drunk and impaired driving during the holiday season. The grants, announced by the Governors Highway Safety Association, are designed to provide safe and convenient alternatives to impaired driving. The goal is to convince people who may be impaired by alcohol and other drugs to call a ridesharing service instead of driving.
“Traffic deaths are increasing at an unprecedented rate – surging nearly 20% in the first half of this year compared to the same period in 2020,” Jonathan Adkins, the safety association’s executive director, said in a statement. “Drunk and drug-impaired driving increased during the pandemic and, as parties and gatherings resume, there are even more opportunities for impaired driving this holiday season.”
Colorado will utilize the funding in several ways. These include public outreach campaigns using traditional methods and social media to target liquor stores, bars and restaurants, concert venues, and other locations. The campaign also urges the hosts of holiday gatherings to share information about the Uber ride credits with their guests.
Studies Show the Programs Work
Safety advocates say ride-hailing services can reduce impaired driving accidents, but only if people take advantage of them instead of driving under the influence. A pair of recent studies support their argument:
- The “Journal of the American Medical Association” found weekend motor vehicle crash traumas plummeted nearly 40% for people under age 30 after Uber began offering its services in the Houston area in 2014. The study also found that DUI arrests decreased among all drivers.
- In the “American Journal of Epidemiology,” researchers from the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health reported a rise in rideshare trips corresponded to fewer alcohol-related accidents, injuries, and deaths. “Drunk driving is devastating for the people who drive drunk and for other drivers and passengers with whom they share the road,” said Christopher Morrison, assistant professor of epidemiology at Columbia Mailman School. “We can use this information to help reduce these enormous health costs.”
Hit by a Drunk Driver? Let Our Law Firm Fight For You
Unfortunately, too many people have no problem drinking and driving instead of calling a ridesharing service or making other responsible decisions. Whether they have too much confidence in their driving abilities or they just don't care about the health and safety of themselves and others, drunk drivers need to be held accountable when they injure others.
Keep in mind that any criminal charges the at-fault driver faces are separate and distinct from your potential civil case. That means you have the right to pursue compensation for your losses regardless of what the outcome is of the at-fault driver's potential criminal case.
Still, claims involving drunk drivers are complex, and dealing with insurance companies is never easy when you consider they have a financial incentive to pay crash victims as little money as possible. As such, seeking experienced legal representation can make a dramatic difference in the outcome of your case.
At The Longo Firm, LLC, we stand up for crash victims in Colorado Springs and throughout the state. Attorney Stephen A. Longo and his talented legal team have the knowledge, experience, and resources to investigate what happened to you, gather and preserve evidence, build a case based on hard facts, and advocate for the compensation you deserve.
Let us help you send a message that drunk driving will not be tolerated on Colorado's roads. Contact us today for a free consultation with an experienced Colorado Springs car accident attorney.