Pennsylvania 2009 DUI Arrests Increase, Accidents Decrease – Drunk Driving Awareness
Auto accidents in Pennsylvania caused by drunk drivers can be some of the most devastating types of collisions. Drivers who operate their vehicles while intoxicated have little to no awareness of how fast they are driving. Combine this with a slow reaction time and a false sense of confidence, and serious injury or even fatal crashes can take place. It is no wonder then, that the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation reminds motorists that the chance of a crash occurring increases by five times if a driver has any alcohol in their system.
According to a recent article on ThePittsburgChannel.com, 2009 marked a significant year in curbing the amount of PA alcohol-related accidents. In 2008, there were 161 fatal and 4,664 non-fatal vehicle crashes involving alcohol in comparison to 141 fatal and 4,625 non-fatal for 2009. Based on the article, Pennsylvania state police made the most arrests for DUI ever in 2009. However, officers attribute this increase in arrests to troopers’ efficient training and stronger enforcement programs like “Operation Nighthawk,” rather than this increase being due to more motorists driving under the influence. In its 4% DUI arrests increase from 2008, 2009 brought 16,900 drunk driving arrests in which 537 arrests were made at the Butler station, 471 at the Pittsburgh station, and 384 at the Greensburg station in Western Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania drunk driving injury lawyers understand that the aftermath of a DUI accident often imposes several psychological, physical and financial consequences for an injury victim to overcome. This is why DUI enforcement has increased and why liquor liability must be upheld. Dram shop laws in PA provide establishments, bars, and other premises serving alcohol, with the vital responsibility of ensuring that those consuming large amounts of alcohol do not drive drunk. When innocent lives are drastically changed forever by catastrophic injury or wrongful death because of a drunk driving accident, negligent parties should not be allowed to avoid liability.
Help prevent PA alcohol-related car collisions. Even if you are simply having a party at your home, do not serve alcohol to minors and don’t let anyone drive home if they’ve been drinking.
