Because the Fourth of July is our nation’s birthday, it is a day known for picnics, barbeques, and fireworks. Along with these events often come drinking and partying. While there is no harm in celebrating Independence Day with friends and family, some people take it too far and have too many alcoholic drinks or do drugs before getting behind the wheel to drive home from their celebrations. Because too much alcohol in a driver’s system can affect his or her judgment, reactions, and ability to drive safely, it is likely a drunk driving accident will be the outcome.
Although one impaired driving crash is one too many on our nation’s roads, drunk driving-related crashes have declined by one-third since 2007, according to the National Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA). While this is a step in the right direction, a 2014 National Roadside Survey revealed that one in four drivers tested positive for drugs.
These statistics reveal that although the number of people who drive with alcohol in their systems continues to decrease, there is a large increase in the number of drivers using illegal drugs. Whether drivers are impaired by alcohol, marijuana, or other illegal drugs, they should never get behind the wheel. Especially in this day and age, when it is easy to hail a taxi cab with a push of a cell phone button, there should be no excuse to drive drunk or drugged. Unfortunately, many people do just this on the Fourth of July and turn the celebration into a tragedy for innocent victims.
If you have been injured as a result of a drunk or drugged driver, you need to learn about your rights to pursuing an injury claim to the fullest. Please request a free copy of our book, 10 Tips to Get the Maximum Compensation After a Maryland Auto Accident.
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