On December 13, 2015, the Michigan State Police investigated a drunk driving accident in Sault St. Marie. Troopers said that they responded to a two-car crash on Mackinaw Trail near 3 Mile Road. Two 19-year-olds, a man and woman, were in one of the cars involved and the police confirm that the male died as a result of his injuries. A 23-year-old woman driving the other car was arrested for drunk driving[1].
Alcohol-Related Michigan Accidents
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration released new studies [2] in February 2015 regarding impaired driving in the United States. NHTSA provides that the nation’s decades-long campaign to combat drunk driving continues to make our roads safer, but the use of marijuana and prescription drugs is increasingly prominent on the highways, creating new safety questions. One study, the latest version of NHTSA’s Roadside Survey of Alcohol and Drug Use by Drivers, found that the number of drivers with alcohol in their system has declined by nearly one-third since 2007 and by more than three-quarters since the first Roadside Survey in 1973. But that same survey found a large increase in the number of drivers using marijuana or other illegal drugs. In the 2014 survey, nearly one in four drivers tested positive for at least one drug that could affect safety. The report specifically provides:
“America made drunk driving a national issue and while there is no victory as long as a single American dies in an alcohol-related crash, a one-third reduction in alcohol use over just seven years shows how a focused effort and cooperation among the federal government, states and communities, law enforcement, safety advocates and industry can make an enormous difference,” said NHTSA Administrator Mark Rosekind. “At the same time, the latest Roadside Survey raises significant questions about drug use and highway safety. The rising prevalence of marijuana and other drugs is a challenge to everyone who is dedicated to saving lives and reducing crashes.”
Michigan Automobile Accident Lawyers
Drivers should never get behind the wheel impaired, and it is common knowledge that both alcohol and marijuana impair judgment, reaction times, and awareness. If you or someone in your life is consuming alcohol, it is important not to drive a vehicle until the driver is sober. If you are involved in an automobile accident that involves an impaired driver, it is imperative to speak to the team of auto accident attorneys at Michigan Injury Lawyers. Do not hesitate to call our office today at 313-GET-HELP for a free consultation.
References:
[1] http://www.9and10news.com/story/30736264/man-killed-in-chippewa-county-drunk-driving-accident
[2] http://www.nhtsa.gov/About+NHTSA/Press+Releases/2015/nhtsa-releases-2-impaired-driving-studies-02-2015