Results tagged “dwi accidents” from DUI Lawyers & Attorneys News

New Mexico, which long held the reputation of having one of the worst DWI rates in the country, has emerged from the top 10 in three national rankings of DWI fatalities.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the state has dropped to the number 11 spot for the number of DWI fatalities per 100,000 population. This figure represents a 12% reduction in DWI fatalities.  The previous two years, New Mexico ranked 9th.

The NHTSA study included any crash that involved a driver with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or higher.  New Mexico also ranked out of the top 10 in all other NHTSA categories, and dropped from 9th to 18th in the rate of alcohol-involved fatalities based on 100 million motor vehicle miles traveled. 

New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson credits the improved statistics with the comprehensive and aggressive DWI initiatives that have been taken, such as increasing the amount of law enforcement officials in the counties with the highest DWI fatality rates, creating a highly visible anti-drunk driving campaign, making ignition interlock devices mandatory for first-time offenders, and increasing sanctions for bars and restaurants that habitually serve intoxicated or underage patrons.

Rachel O'Connor, New Mexico's DWI Czar, said the drop in rankings is good news for the state, and that New Mexico plans to continue moving forward in its efforts to reduce the amount of drunk driving on its streets.

For information about the DWI/DUI statistics in your state, click here to find a DWI attorney near you!

Today, North Carolina law enforcement reported that they arrested a man who was driving while impaired (DWI) this past Monday.  According to Captain Tad Kepley of the Lexington Police Department, officers arrested the man, Carl Anthony Burrage (36), after he crashed into two vehicles on Fairview Drive.
  
After his arrest, Burrage was charged with two felony counts of hit and run resulting in injury, hit and run failing to stop resulting in property damage, driving while impaired, reckless driving and driving with a revoked license.

Police say the accident occurred this past Monday at around 1:16 PM.  At that time, Burrage was driving his 2004 Ford Taurus when he hit a 1993 Plymouth.  After crashing into the Plymouth, Burrage tried to leave the scene of the accident, which is when he crashed in the second car - a 2007 Ford Sedan.  Witnesses called 911 after they saw the offender strike both vehicles and flee the scene.  Police arrived and were able to catch up with Burrage. 

The drivers of the Plymouth and the Sedan were transported to Lexington Memorial Hospital shortly after the incident.  They sustained injuries, but received prompt treated.
 
At this time, Burrage is being held in the Davidson County Detention Center under a $5,000 bond.  His court DWI date has been set for June 29, 2009.

Click here to find a skilled DWI defense lawyer!

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) annual traffic safety assessment for 2007, drivers with prior DWI convictions on their record, or drivers with a blood alcohol concentration of .15% or higher, pose a greater risk of being involved in a fatal DWI accident.  A NHTSA report released in early 2008 said, "drivers with prior DWI convictions are overrepresented in fatal crashes and have a greater relative risk of involvement in a fatal crash."

The NHTSA believes that DWI Courts are the best way to address this behavior and addiction. A study conducted by the Massachusetts Supreme Court in 2007 found that driver's who were sentenced to traditional probation are 19% more likely to be re-arrested for a DWI  than a driver who participated in DWI Court.

DWI Courts would provide DWI offenders with the treatment they need to stay sober and clean so they do not get behind the wheel of a car while intoxicated again. Furthermore, DWI Court would also focus on the defendant taking responsibility for his or her actions, and holding himself/herself accountable for meeting his or her personal goals and obligations to stay sober. In addition, defendants in DWI Court would also be subjected to regular testing for alcohol use, and would be required to report to a judge for a weekly progress report.

"These courts are changing the behavior of the high-risk drinking drivers," said David Wallace, Director of the National Center for DWI Courts (NCDC). "The fact that the number of fatal crashes involving these drivers has not changed is unacceptable. It is time for a change. DWI courts are the change and must be expanded throughout the country."

Click here to find a DWI attorney near you.