New Orleans man jumps into river to avoid drunk driving charge

June 05, 2013

Earlier this year, police pulled over a Louisiana driver after a witness saw him speeding and swerving on a New Orleans road. Upon asking for his vehicle registration and informing the driver -- who reeked of alcohol -- that he would need to submit to a field sobriety test, he suddenly bolted and jumped into a nearby river. The 20-foot drop to the water did not hurt him, but neither did he avoid an arrest for drunk driving.

Possible law changes on the horizon

Laws regarding legal limits for drinking and driving may change in the future. In an effort to reduce the number of drunk driving accidents, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is recommending that states in the U.S. lower their blood alcohol content (BAC) limits from .08 to .05. According to the NTSB, nearly 100 countries across the world have adopted a .05 or lower BAC limit, resulting in significantly lower accident rates.

For someone who weighs 160 pounds, a .05 BAC law means he or she is limited to two alcoholic beverages before driving. Generally, a drink is equivalent to one of the following:
- Twelve-ounces of beer
- Four-ounces of wine
- One-ounce -- one shot -- of hard liquor

Such a limit may bring a dramatic change to the way people think about drinking and driving. While the NTSB does not intend to forbid people from having a beer while out for pizza, one drink may be enough to push many over the legal limit.

A person's driving ability may be impaired despite having a BAC below the legal limit. One drink can reduce a driver's vision, reaction time and operating capabilities. A reduced capacity for safe driving leads to a higher risk of causing a car accident.

Drunk driving accidents in Orleans Parish

According to statistics keep by the Louisiana State University, there have been 15 fatal motor vehicle collisions in Orleans Parish so far this year and three of those deaths are attributed to alcohol use. Alcohol-related crashes account for 70 injuries this year and, last year, Orleans Parish had the highest number of alcohol-caused accident injuries for the entire state.

Chances are, if you are driving in New Orleans, you are in danger of becoming involved in a motor vehicle accident with an impaired driver. If you or a loved one suffers an injury caused by a drunk driver, seek the counsel of an experienced Louisiana personal injury lawyer. An attorney knowledgeable about drunk driving accidents may be able to help you obtain compensation for your losses.

Article provided by Murphy Law Firm LLC
Visit us at www.neworleanspersonalinjurylawyer.com