Now Is the Time to Deal with Deaths Caused by Drunk Driving

Drunk driving remains one of the leading causes of auto accidents in Colorado and across the country. In 2017, the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration recorded 10,874 DUI related fatalities in 2017; this figure represents approximately 25% of all traffic deaths. As traffic deaths in Colorado reach a 15-year high, it is more important than ever to take active steps to reduce the rates of DUI and other accident causes.

DRUNK DRIVING IN COLORADO

In 2016, 606 people died in alcohol related motor vehicle accidents in Colorado. These deaths accounted for 27% of all motor vehicle fatalities that year. Law enforcement agencies in Colorado are stepping up enforcement and actively removing drunk drivers from the road. The Colorado Highway Patrol issued more than 4,400 citations to drunk drivers. Municipal police and other law enforcement agencies issued many thousands more citations. Statewide, men in their 20’s account for nearly 33% of all citations issued by law enforcement for drunk driving offenses.

PREVENTING DUI ACCIDENTS IN BOULDER

It is never easy to deal with the economic and emotional loss of a friend or family member who dies in a drunk driving accident. Thus, the best way to deal with DUI is to prevent it before it claims a life. With summer holidays and celebrations just over the horizon, the following are simple steps you can take to reduce the risk for you and your loved ones throughout the year.

• Designate a Driver. Before going out with friends, make sure to assign a designated driver for your group.
• Catch an Uber or Lyft. Cheaper than a taxi, and far less than the cost of a DUI charge, calling an Uber or a Lyft will get you from point to point without any problem.
• Speak Up, and Stand Up. Monitor your friends and family when you are drinking together. Don’t hesitate to offer them a ride or take their keys to keep them from getting behind the wheel.
• Report Drunk Drivers. Call 911 or dial *CSP (*277) when you see a drunk driver on the road. Provide law enforcement with the location, description, and direction of the vehicle so that they can respond promptly to the situation.

Sloat & Nicholson, P.C. can help you recover compensation following a DUI accident and other causes of auto accidents. Contact us to discuss your rights and the compensation you can pursue following a motor vehicle accident in Boulder.