In a recent Reading drunk driving accident, a 71-year-old man was killed while stopped in the breakdown lane of Route 95 North. According to CBS Boston, a 32-year-old driver from Brockton faces charges of vehicular homicide.
Accident reports indicate that it is unclear why the elderly man was stopped in the breakdown lane. But he was struck by the intoxicated driver. The female driver was reportedly on her way home from work when the accident happened, but was unable to explain why she was in the northbound lane if she was heading back to Brockton. Although she claimed only to have had one beer, she failed a number of sobriety tests, according to auhtorities. She was held on $10,000 cash bail.
In the state of Massachusetts, there were close to 115 people killed in alcohol-related traffic accidents in 2011. These accidents accounted for about 40 percent of the total number of traffic accident fatalities throughout the year. More than 15 percent of these accidents involved drivers who had a BAC of .15 of higher, which is about twice the legal limit.
With the upcoming holiday season, it’s more important than ever that we focus on safe and sober driving. The fourth quarter of the year often produces some of the highest number of alcohol-related traffic accidents on our roadways.
In addition to alcohol, prescription and illegal drug use, and even some over-the-counter medications, can affect your ability to drive. Depending on factors specific to your case, you could face an OUI conviction just as you would for drunk driving.
For a first-time drunk driving conviction in the state of Massachusetts, you run the risk of a license suspension for 1 year. You can also face fines anywhere from $500 to $5,000 in addition to jail time up to 2 and a half years. And it’s going to cost you to get your driver’s license back when it’s time — anywhere from $50 to $1,200, depending on the charge.
Being convicted of driving under the influence can also impact your life in ways you may not be aware of, including: loss of your job (and the inability to work in certain jobs in the future), higher insurance rates, serious financial hurdles, personal embarrassment, and having that conviction on your driving records for years ― if not for the rest of your life.
More than 14,000 Massachusetts drivers were charged with drunken driving in 2010, according to the latest data from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security.
With the busy travel season upon us, we’re asking drivers to keep an eye out for one another. Don’t let friends or family members get behind the wheel after consuming alcohol.
If you or a loved one was involved in a drunk driving accident in Massachusetts, call Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers for a free and confidential appointment — (617) 777-7777.
More Blog Entries:
Residents Fear Drunk Driving with New Milford Casino, Boston Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer Blog, November 23, 2013
Preparing Responsible Servers for the Upcoming Holiday Season, Boston Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer Blog, November 17, 2013