Drivers in Stoughton were not on their best behavior over the weekend. If you take a look at the Stoughton Patch and check out some of the police reports, you’ll see that officers in the area did quite a job in busting drunk drivers.
On April 28th, a driver was involved in a two-car accident and busted for operating under the influence and following too close and another driver was busted for the same thing after a routine traffic stop. Later on the 1st, a drunk driver was reported by another driver just before 6:00 a.m. On the 2nd, a suspicious vehicle was reported at the McDonald’s on Washington Street. That driver was also busted for operating under the influence. It doesn’t stop there. On the 4th, a driver was charged with operating under the influence after a routine traffic stop just after 1:00 a.m.
Our Stoughton drunk driving accident lawyers understand that, in 2011, there were close to 10,000 fatalities throughout the nation as a result of accidents involving a drunk driver. These fatalities accounted for more than 30 percent of total traffic fatalities for the year. According to newly-released statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were close to 150 people killed in alcohol-related car accidents in the state of Massachusetts in 2011. These fatalities accounted for close to 40 percent of all of the traffic fatalities recorded throughout the year.
In Massachusetts, OUI―Operating Under the Influence of Alcohol―is a serious criminal offense. You can expect to have your license suspended, pay a major fine and even spend time in jail for your first offense. It gets much worse for subsequent offenses.
Not only should you remain sober behind the wheel to avoid this legal headache, but you should also do it to save lives. The truth of the matter is that your risks for an accident skyrocket when you consume alcohol. Never should there be a time when you should get behind the wheel after consuming alcohol. You have so many other safe, and legal, ways to get home. It’s just not worth it.
According to officials with the State of Massachusetts, don’t drive if you have been drinking at all. Your ability to operate a motor vehicle can be compromised even if your blood alcohol content is below the legal limit.
Keep an eye on your friends and family members. Never allow them to get behind the wheel after consuming alcohol. Take their keys from them and help them to find a safe and sober ride home. It’s a move that could wind up saving their life.
Lastly, make sure you have a safe and sober ride home. You have plenty of options. Designate a sober driver, call a cab, take public transportation or call a friend or family member. Whatever you do — don’t get behind the wheel.
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:
New England DUI Accident Watch: April is Alcohol Awareness Month, Boston Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer Blog, April 20, 2013
Drunk Driving Arrests Rarer in Boston?, Boston Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer Blog, April 10, 2013