Increased Patrols Reduce Incidence Death Drunk Driving

There&s no doubt that alcohol and cars just don&t mix. Alcohol-related car crashes occur in staggering numbers and many of the accidents end in death or serious injury. Across the country, nearly 10,000 people die every year from alcohol-related car accidents. The state of Illinois is tackling these statistics by increasing efforts to target drunk drivers, as well as distracted drivers. The additional effort and patrols can be especially effective over major driving holidays, like Labor Day weekend.

City, state and local police agencies planned to put more officers on patrol over the past holiday weekend. According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, the additional officers, plus public relations campaigns and heightened awareness over drunk driving are improving the status quo.

In 2011, Illinois saw 233 people die from drunk driving accidents. This number was down from 374 deaths in 2007. The hours between midnight and 3 a.m. are most prone to drunk driving accidents, and from 2007 to 2011 there was a 41 percent drop in deadly accidents during that time frame.

The results should come as great news to Illinois residents, but the stepped-up efforts don&t necessarily help those who have been injured by a drunk driver or those who lost a loved one in a drunk driving crash. Police efforts are critical in keeping drunk drivers off the road and in deterring future poor choices, but legal action may be another option for victims and families of victims following a DUI accident. Legal action can help victims gain closure, feel a sense of justice and possibly provide for the monetary expenses and bills that come as a result of the accident or injuries.

Source: CBS 2 Chicago, "More Cops Than Ever Looking For Drunk, Distracted Drivers," Aug. 29, 2013