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A List We’d Rather Not Top: California Has More Fatal Drunk Driving Accidents Than Any Other State

California leads the nation in many ways we are proud of but we are not proud to lead this one: The state with the most number of drunk driving fatalities. This is according to stats from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Keep reading to learn more. If you have lost a loved one in this type of car accident contact The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000 for a free legal consultation.

California’s Drunk Driving Rates Are on the Rise

Perhaps most concerning is that California’s number of drunk driving fatalities continues to rise. From 2000 to 2017 it went up 13.5%. That was the fourth-largest increase and it was one of only six states that saw an increase at all. This is in the same time period, the nation as a whole saw an 18% decrease in the number of DUI fatalities. Why were there so many more deaths in California? The researchers have a few ideas.

Why Are California’s Fatal DUI Cases So Much More Common?

With a drop nationwide but a significant rise in California, it is understandable that many people would wonder: Why are the numbers going up in California? The researchers point to a few potential reasons. First, most states have many public safety announcements designed to teach drivers about the real dangers of driving while drunk. Second, there has been a nationwide increase in enforcement for DUIs coupled with more significant punishments for DUI offenders.

California is 21st in the country for strictest DUI laws. According to the California Highway Patrol, they arrested more than 66,000 people for DUI in 2018 alone. That is a 4% increase from 2017. They stated there were 142 DUI checkpoints throughout the state and that there are significant consequences for a person convicted of a DUI. For example, the expense of a first-time DUI ends up being around $15,000.

Why is Driving While Intoxicated So Dangerous?

It may seem obvious, but many people know that it is dangerous to drive drunk but do not really know why. The truth is that it can significantly impact a person’s ability to react to any situation. It can affect a person’s decision-making skills and physical ability to react. People who are intoxicated cannot trust their vision, hearing, or any other sense as they can be deeply affected by their intoxicated state.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident with a drunk driver, we urge you to contact The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000 for a free legal consultation. We can carefully consider your case, find the best way forward, and provide the legal advice you need. You are no in this alone – we can help.