December 04, 2012 (Press-News.org) According to a recent study released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), drinking and driving among teens has been cut in half the last 20 years; a drop largely attributed to stricter drunk driving laws.
Given that teen drinking and driving is a contributing factor in more than 800 deaths each year, according to the CDC, hopefully this reduction will result in fewer deaths and car accidents not only nationwide but specifically here in Pennsylvania.
Teen Drunk Driving Study
The CDC study noted that in 2011 only 10.3 percent of high school students aged 16 and above claimed to have driven after drinking in the prior 30 days - compared to 22.3 percent in 1991, a roughly 54 percent drop.
Tragically, despite the drop, car accidents are still the leading cause of death among 16 to 19-year-olds, according to the CDC. It also doesn't help that even with the recent teen drunk driving decrease the CDC has revealed that high school students still drink and drive roughly 2.4 million times each month.
In addition, during 2010 roughly one in five teen drivers involved in deadly car accidents had at least some alcohol in their system. What is even more frightening is that an astonishing 81 percent of these teen drivers had blood alcohol levels higher than the adult legal limit at the time of the accident, according to the CDC.
Unfortunately, given these numbers it seems evident that teen drunk driving accidents will continue to occur. What is important to realize, however, is that there are remedies available for those injured by drunk teens who decide to get behind the wheel.
Not only can a drunk driver be held criminally liable, but they can be held liable in civil court. Those injured by a drunk driver can seek damages in a civil lawsuit to compensate themselves for the loss they suffered at the hands of the drunk driver.
For example, a person injured by a drunk driver can seek damages to cover medical costs, lost wages and pain and suffering. Moreover, victims in Pennsylvania can seek punitive damages - which are damages awarded to a victim above the amount of actual losses in order to punish the drunk driver for his or her actions.
If you have been injured by a drunk driver, it is important to contact an experienced drunk driving accident attorney to be advised of your rights and options. Not only can an attorney help provide guidance, but they can assist in investigating and collecting the necessary evidence needed to prove your case.
Article provided by Eisenberg, Rothweiler, Winkler, Eisenberg & Jeck, P.C.
Visit us at www.erlegal.com
Drinking and Driving Among Teens Dropping, But Problems Persist
According to a CDC study, drinking and driving among teens has been cut in half the last 20 years; a drop largely attributed to stricter drunk driving laws.
2012-12-04
ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:
Personal Injury Attorney Group Urges Americans to "Take Justice Back"
2012-12-04
The most important reason behind a legal system that allows injury victims to pursue damages is accountability. Society recognizes that people need a forum to address the issue of who should pay when something has gone very wrong.
Two areas of personal injury liability that often involve large companies as defendants are claims involving defective products and medical malpractice. Responding to concerns that powerful corporations have gained momentum in restricting plaintiffs' options by lobbying for changes in state and federal law, a national group of trial lawyers ...
Bill Looks to Prohibit Plea Deals in Certain New Jersey Megan's Law Cases
2012-12-04
Last month, a New Jersey lawmaker introduced a bill that would forbid prosecutors from entering into plea bargains with those accused of New Jersey Megan's Law offenses if the plea bargain would result in the accused not be required to register as a sex offender - effectively taking away some of the discretion afforded to prosecutors in such situations.
New Jersey Megan's Law
Under Megan's Law in New Jersey, a person convicted of a sex crime can face severe living restrictions years after they have finished their jail sentence. For example, Megan's Law not only requires ...
The Consequences of a Theft Conviction on Your Criminal Record
2012-12-04
"Theft" is the act of taking personal property with the intent to deprive the rightful owner of the property. If you are found guilty of a theft crime, the conviction could result in many consequences, including fines, incarceration, probation and a criminal record. Furthermore, a criminal record could have serious repercussions that affect the rest of your life.
Employment
Theft is a crime of moral turpitude because it is an act of dishonesty. As a result, prospective employers often disregard job applications from those with a criminal record. This is ...
The War on Drugs Undermines African Americans
2012-12-04
Recently, the Disproportionate Justice Impact Study Commission, a statutorily mandated committee, released a report confirming that the war on drugs significantly undermines African Americans and their communities.
According to the Huffington Post, drug crimes are largest cause of the increase in incarceration rates over the past several decades. In Illinois, African Americans make up 15 percent of the population and 61 percent of the incarcerated population.
Many believe that higher rates of drug-related incarceration match up with the rates of drug use. However, ...
Could Virginia's Fledgling Wine Industry Cause an Uptick in DUI/DWI Charges?
2012-12-04
Virginia's temperate climate, sunshine, good soil and moderately high yearly rainfall average provide an excellent environment for wine grapes. The state's wine industry has been steadily growing for several years, and now boasts the honor of being the fifth largest wine region in the nation. Obviously, a growing wine production movement is a good thing for the state, providing much-needed jobs and tourism dollars. However, if California -- home of many of the nation's most successful wineries and nearly half of all wine producers in the country -- is any example, the wine ...
Legalization of Marijuana and its Effect on Employment
2012-12-04
In the 2012 election, Colorado and Washington became the first states to legalize marijuana for recreational use. The laws allow residents to smoke pot in the privacy of their own homes, but not in public places. This brings up questions, however, about how employers are going to deal with drug use, including:
- Will employers be able to fire workers for smoking pot or coming to work under the influence of marijuana?
- Will employers be able to require workers to pass pre-employment drug tests?
The answers to these questions are not quite clear. Experts opine that ...
Your Home May Likely be Protected When Filing for Bankruptcy in Florida
2012-12-04
In today's turbulent economic times, many Florida families find themselves struggling to pay their bills. And even though bankruptcy may be an ideal choice for many of these families, they fail to explore the option for a variety of reasons - reasons such as the fear that they will lose everything in bankruptcy.
One important thing for Florida families to realize is that bankruptcy is not a punishment, but a way to obtain a fresh financial start. In fact, many families that file a Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Florida will actually be able to keep many of their possessions, ...
Minors Who Sext Could Be Facing New Penalties
2012-12-04
Technology often changes so fast that laws can quickly become outdated. Legislatures then have to scramble to implement changes that either enhance or reduce penalties to make them more appropriate in certain situations. The widespread use of cellphones has led to new legal issues that were not considered when laws were originally implemented.
Pennsylvania legislators recently passed a bill that deals with "sexting." Sexting occurs when individuals send naked pictures to significant others in text messages. While consenting adults may not find themselves subject ...
Are You Over Your Head in Student Loans?
2012-12-04
Many individuals work very hard to obtain advanced education. Unfortunately, student loans can get hefty, placing scholars in significant debt.
The U.S. Department of Education reports that federal student loan default rates are on the rise. During the first two years of student loan repayment periods, 8.8 percent of loan holders defaulted in the 2009 fiscal year. That number rose by 0.3 percent in the 2010 fiscal year.
While it is difficult to discharge student debt through the bankruptcy process, other financial strategies may be available to help you address your ...
NTSB Lists its "Most Wanted" Safety Improvements for 2013
2012-12-04
Whenever a motor vehicle accident occurs, officials will examine the collision to determine what can be done to prevent similar accidents from happening in the future. This can lead to new rules being created to address frequent problems, such as laws that prohibit distracted driving. If vehicles themselves are unsafe, this information can be used to help improve vehicle safety.
Each year, the National Transportation Safety Board releases its "Most Wanted" list, which contains the items the agency would like to see addressed to help make roads and vehicles ...
LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:
Fig trees convert atmospheric CO2 to stone
Intra-arterial tenecteplase for acute stroke after successful endovascular therapy
Study reveals beneficial microbes that can sustain yields in unfertilized fields
Robotic probe quickly measures key properties of new materials
Climate change cuts milk production, even when farmers cool their cows
Frozen, but not sealed: Arctic Ocean remained open to life during ice ages
Some like it cold: Cryorhodopsins
Demystifying gut bacteria with AI
Human wellbeing on a finite planet towards 2100: new study shows humanity at a crossroads
Unlocking the hidden biodiversity of Europe’s villages
Planned hydrogen refuelling stations may lead to millions of euros in yearly losses
Planned C-sections increase the risk of certain childhood cancers
Adults who have survived childhood cancer are at increased risk of severe COVID-19
Drones reveal extreme coral mortality after bleaching
New genetic finding uncovers hidden cause of arsenic resistance in acute promyelocytic leukemia
Native habitats hold the key to the much-loved smashed avocado’s future
Using lightning to make ammonia out of thin air
Machine learning potential-driven insights into pH-dependent CO₂ reduction
Physician associates provide safe care for diagnosed patients when directly supervised by a doctor
How game-play with robots can bring out their human side
Asthma: patient expectations influence the course of the disease
UNM physician tests drug that causes nerve tissue to emit light, enabling faster, safer surgery
New study identifies EMP1 as a key driver of pancreatic cancer progression and poor prognosis
XPR1 identified as a key regulator of ovarian cancer growth through autophagy and immune evasion
Flexible, eco-friendly electronic plastic for wearable tech, sensors
Can the Large Hadron Collider snap string theory?
Stuckeman professor’s new book explores ‘socially sustainable’ architecture
Synthetic DNA nanoparticles for gene therapy
New model to find treatments for an aggressive blood cancer
Special issue of Journal of Intensive Medicine analyzes non-invasive respiratory support
[Press-News.org] Drinking and Driving Among Teens Dropping, But Problems PersistAccording to a CDC study, drinking and driving among teens has been cut in half the last 20 years; a drop largely attributed to stricter drunk driving laws.