NTSB encourages ignition interlock devices for all drunk drivers

A NTSB study showed that some of the most serious types of accidents, wrong-way accidents, are more often than not caused by drunk drivers.

2013-02-28

February 28, 2013 (Press-News.org) Many states require the use of ignition interlock devices on all vehicles operated by people convicted of certain drunk driving offenses. Several of these states only require them for drivers who are convicted of more than one DUI or high blood alcohol concentration DUIs. Some say that this needs to change so people are protected from dangerous car accidents involving repeat drunk drivers.

What is an ignition interlock device?

An ignition interlock device is installed on all vehicles a driver operates. The driver must blow into the device, and if too much alcohol is detected on the driver's breath, the vehicle will become inoperable. This process is done every time the vehicle is started and while the vehicle is moving.

Recently, the National Transportation Safety Board, or NTSB, encouraged every state to require ignition interlock devices for all drivers convicted of DUIs, including first-time offenders. Proponents of the change say that if the states adopt this policy, many lives could be saved. Right now, only 17 states require ignition interlock devices for all drivers convicted of DUIs.

South Carolina is one of the states that does not require ignition interlock devices for all drivers convicted of DUIs; in South Carolina only people convicted of multiple DUIs are required to use an ignition interlock device.

Ignition interlock devices save lives

About one-third of traffic deaths every year are alcohol-related, and this figure has remained relatively the same since at least 1995. Ignition interlock devices prevent these deaths by reducing recidivism of drunk driving. Drunk driving deaths are needless, unnecessary and easily preventable.

The use of ignition interlock devices is one way that state's can prevent DUI offenders from driving drunk in the future. There is other technology, however, that could potentially come on the market that uses infrared technology to test a driver's BAC. The NTSB encouraged the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to enhance its research on this technology because it has the potential to save even more lives. This technology could be placed in all vehicles, not just those of people convicted of drunk driving.

A NTSB study showed that some of the most serious types of accidents, wrong-way accidents, are more often than not caused by drunk drivers. They often occur in the fast lane of the highway, on weekends and at night.

Some opposition to NTSB's recommendations

Some in the beverage industry oppose the NTSB's recommendations and say that first-time drunk drivers who do not have very high BAC levels should not have to have ignition interlock devices installed in their vehicles. Others believe that people should be held responsible for their behavior even if they only did it one time, as it only takes one time to take an innocent person's life away.

People who are injured by drunk drivers have legal remedies to recover for their injuries. It is against the law to drink and drive, and people who are injured by these negligent drivers should be able to recover for their medical bills and pain and suffering. A personal injury attorney can help these people get the remedies they deserve.

Article provided by Christian & Davis, LLC
Visit us at www.christiandavislaw.com

ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

Minnesotans are jeopardizing retirement funds by raiding 401(k) plans

2013-02-28

As many people in Minnesota and around the country continue to tighten their financial belts, funds set aside for retirement starts looking pretty tempting. It is estimated that one in four Americans are borrowing from their 401(k) plans. Many workers in the U.S. set aside savings for retirement through employer-sponsored retirement savings accounts. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) created 401(k) plans -- also known as defined contribution pension plans -- as a way for employees to accumulate tax-free money. Contributions to 401(k) plans are deducted from paychecks ...

Florida intoxilyzer data at issue in court case

2013-02-28

Most Florida motorists will be extra vigilant if they know that certain roads will have a greater police presence. Being pulled over can often lead to anxiety, because many motorists do not have frequent interactions with law enforcement. If these drivers had consumed any alcohol prior to the traffic stop, officers may decide to check for other signs of impairment. When an officer makes a DUI stop in Florida, there will be certain methods that they use to see if the motorist is under the influence. Officers may make the motorists undergo field sobriety tests, and the ...

Wrongful deaths caused by car accidents rampant in California Bay Area

2013-02-28

The Bay Area is seeing a number of fatal accidents so far this year between motor vehicles and pedestrians. Two separate cars hit one woman as she walked home from work. A car collided with a young girl in a crosswalk and a Muni bus driver struck an elderly woman in another crosswalk in Daly City. A fourth was struck as she crossed in the middle of a Palo Alto road. All of the victims died instantly or very shortly thereafter. Pedestrians do not stand a chance against careless drivers; motor vehicles are deadly weapons when driven negligently. Nineteen pedestrians were ...

Los Angeles Superior Court Massive Budget Cuts Force Substantial Reduction in Services to Litigants in Los Angeles County

2013-02-28

This piece of legislation increases sales taxes in California in an effort to help with the State Budget, including Court Funding. However, despite the passage of Proposition 30, the Los Angeles Superior Court must permanently cut its budget expenditures by up to $50 million before June 30, 2013. This will have a major impact on personal injury litigants. To deal with this budget cut, the Los Angeles Superior Court is closing ten courthouses: Huntington Park, Whittier, Pomona North, Malibu, West Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, San Pedro, Beacon Street, Catalina and Kenyon ...

Avoid Texting and Posting While Going Through a Divorce

2013-02-28

Having a written statement of your thoughts and feelings with the record of time is a powerful piece of evidence that can come back to haunt you and be used against you. The American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers conducted a survey of the nation's top attorneys revealing an increase in smart phone and text evidence during divorces. "A resounding 92% of the nation's top divorce attorneys say that they have seen an increase in the number of cases using evidence taken from iPhones, Droids, and other smart phones during the past three years, according to a recent ...

Electrocution Remains a Workplace Safety Hazard

2013-02-28

Electrocutions can happen both at work and at home due to defective products, lack of safety precautions and power company negligence. The Electrical Safety Foundation International, or ESFI, reports more than 30,000 electricity-related injuries on the job in the past 10 years. Some of these may have occurred in Illinois. It is important that victims of negligence or inadequate safety precautions, or families of victims, contact a personal injury lawyer experienced in dealing with such cases. Coming into contact with live wires while working is a common problem Two ...

Simpsonville SC Hotel Provides Nearby Lodging to Guests Attending the Steve Kaufman and Gary Biscuit Davis Workshops and Concert

2013-02-28

Holiday Inn Express Simpsonville Hotel offers convenient lodging to guests attending the Steve Kaufman and Gary "Biscuit" Davis workshops. Open to all playing levels, Kaufman is offering a flat picking workshop and Davis is teaching a banjo workshop; both men are 3 time national champions in their discipline. Taking place at Simpsonville Arts Center on Saturday, March 2, 2013, the workshops are scheduled from 1-4pm and a concert will be held at 8:00pm. For reservations and ticket information, visit www.safiarts.org. "We are pleased to welcome anyone attending ...

Compete in Race to the Top at Table Rock State Park and Stay at Nearby Hampton Inn Spartanburg SC Hotel on North I-85

2013-02-28

Hampton Inn Spartanburg SC Hotel (North I-85) offers nearby lodging to athletics competing in the 2013 Race to the Top. This competition run offers a 7.5 and 10 mile course at Table Rock State Park and Pinnacle Mountain, one of the highest points along South Carolina's Blue Ridge Escarpment. The race will take place at 9:00am on Saturday, March 2. For registration and other event details, visit www.runnersworld.com/race/1937753. "Conveniently located off I-85 at exit 78, our Spartanburg hotel is the perfect place for race participants traveling on I-85 to stay," ...

Hotel Evolution Owned Hotel - Hampton Inn & Suites Scottsboro - Named 2012 Lighthouse Award Winner by Hampton Hotels

2013-02-28

Hotel Evolution, an Atlanta, GA based hotel management company and development group, is honored to have their property, Hampton Inn & Suites Scottsboro, named the #1 Hampton Inn & Suites in the state of Alabama and winner of Hampton Hotels' 2012 Lighthouse Award. Distinguished as a top accolade in Hilton Worldwide's Hampton Hotels system, the Lighthouse Award goes to the top 5% of all Hampton Inn and Hampton Inn & Suites properties in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Ecuador, Costa Rica, and Columbia. Measured by the hotels' 2012 Total Quality Scores ...

Chattanooga Bankruptcy Attorneys, Clark & Washington, Note TLC's Bankruptcy

2013-02-28

While the members of TLC certainly were making a lot of money, they still ended up filing for bankruptcy in 1995. This real-life example of celebrities in the spotlight having to file for bankruptcy is something at which everyday people should take a look. The Chattanooga bankruptcy lawyers from Clark & Washington want others to learn from TLC's situation. Why TLC Filed for Bankruptcy Although a successful group, the members of TLC had debts that reached more than $3.5 million dollars as a result of lawsuits, insurance and paying their managers. Their take-home ...