Boston Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer Blog
According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and a recent study, there are alarmingly high acquittal rates for drunk driving cases at trial here in Massachusetts.
It’s all a result of what officials call “judge shopping,” courts allowing the defendants to refuse BAC tests to be used as evidence in these trials and for attorneys to argue timeframe issues for BAC tests.
The end result is far too many drunk drivers being let back on our roadways.
Our Boston drunk driving accident attorneys understand that our system may be broken. “Justice” in drunk driving cases isn’t oftentimes served to the victim. It’s the drunk drivers who are given the leniency. Currently, officials with MADD are urging legislators to make changes to their system to not only punish these dangerous drivers, but to help to protect innocent travelers. MADD officials suggest that all drivers convicted should be required to use an ignition interlock for a minimum of 6 months.
Ignition interlocks have been proven to be effective in keep drunk drivers who have already been convicted off of our roadways. You see, it’s not unlikely for these drivers to hop behind the wheel even with no driver’s license. These devices help to stop them from doing so. Driver’s license suspensions just aren’t enough. According to studies, anywhere between 50 and 70 percent of drivers with license suspensions continue to drive anyway. Because of this irresponsible behavior, we continue to lose thousands in these preventable accidents year after year.
Those who have been convicted and have these devices are still allowed to drive to school and work, but they have to do so sober. These devices have been found to stop repeat offenders by close to 7 percent. Ignition interlocks play a key role in MADD’s efforts to stop drunk driving. States like Arizona and Oregon have seen the number of deaths resulting from drunk driving accidents cut in half since they enacted laws for ignition interlocks.
You can help to change this. All you have to do is contact our Massachusetts legislators and ask them to support ignition interlocks for all drunk driving offenders.
Remember that drunk driving car accidents are completely preventable. There’s never a reason to get behind the wheel after consuming alcohol, whether it’s your first time or the 100th time. Still, drivers continue to face these risks each and every day and thousands are killed each year because of it. Each time you get behind the wheel after consuming alcohol, you’re not only risking your own life, but the lives of innocent travelers as well!
If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a drunk driving car accident, call the Law Office of Jeffrey S. Glassman, LLC for a free and confidential consultation to discuss your rights. Call (617) 777-7777.
More Blog Entries:
Massachusetts DUI Accidents a November-December Risk, Boston Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer Blog, November 3, 2012
Cologne Mouth Wash Doesn’t Prevent OMVI Charge, Boston Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer Blog, October 19, 2012