Drinking and Driving Takes Its Toll in San Diego

Experienced car accident lawyers and San Diegodriver of the vehicle was intoxicated and survived
residents are concerned about the rise in drunk-drivingthough his passenger died upon impact. The driver
arrests that have occurred over the last few months.now faces charges of manslaughter and DUI.
In fact, almost 500 people were arrested for DUISome Designated Drivers Need to Sober-Up
during a 10-day period in December of 2009. This is aUnfortunately, it seems even the age-old suggestion of
huge increase since last years DUI arrests, 323, duringhaving a "designated driver" has not been enough to
the same time frame.prevent San Diego car accidents and personal injury.
Although reckless behavior tends to be moreA 30-year-old man who was supposed to be the
prevalent around the holiday season, fatal carsober driver after an employee holiday party ended up
accidents are the tragic result. Twenty-two peopleintoxicated and drove his Infiniti into a Volkswagon. The
died in traffic accidents over Christmas holidaycars immediately caught fire and a witness to the
weekend, including a motorcyclist riding with no helmetseem helped remove the 30-year-old and his
and a pedestrian struck by a sport utility vehicle. Eightpassenger from the destroyed Infiniti. The driver of the
of the 22 who died in crashes were not wearingVolkswagon died in the crash.
seatbelts -- a high number that could have easily beenNo matter what age, practicing safe and responsible
lower if people followed safety precautions.driving in San Diego is of utmost concern to law
Teen Drunk-Driving an Epidemic in San Diegoenforcement and San Diego car accident lawyers.
Teen driving is also part of the DUI trend in San Diego.The Sheriff's Department has stepped up
Since September, 8 young people between the agesenforcement of laws governing teen drivers in order to
of 16 and 20 have died in crashes. Many of thesetry to break this trend, according to NBC San Diego
fatalities included individuals not wearing seatbelts ornews. A new program entitled "Lose your license, lose
driving under the influence.your car, lose your life" has been implemented. Some
Recently, a 17-year-old cheerleader from Poway Highof its regulations includes increased curfew checks,
School died 90 minutes after texting her friend, "I'menforced bans on cell phones while driving, restrictions
hammered." Her friend responded through text thaton who can ride with teen drivers, restricted
she would come pick her up, but the 17-year-old droveunsupervised driving hours, and increased enforcement
anyway. She lost control of her SUV and flipped overof laws that prevent adults from providing alcohol to
many times.minors.
On the same day, 6 hours later, a separate DUI-relatedAnyone who sees any reckless or drunk-driving,
fatality occurred in San Diego. An 18-year-old youngswerving and dangerous handling of a vehicle is urged
man was a passenger in a car that hit a tree. Theto call 911 to prevent further loss of life.