What is the law doing to keep me safe from drunk drivers in Houston TX during the holidays this year?
A:
Houston accident lawyers respond that police departments, Sheriff's Offices, and TxDOT are combining forces in an effort to reduce DWI and drunk driving accidents throughout Texas this holiday season. The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, along with the Texas Restaurant Association, the Texas Package Store Association, the Texas Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association and the Texas Municipal Police Association, is joining in the effort to reduce the number of drunk driving accidents by spreading the word against driving while impaired.
If it seems odd that businesses that make their living selling alcohol would want to get behind a message calling for less drinking, think about it. If their customers lose their lives in drunk driving accidents or end up behind bars for DWI, that's fewer customers. Asking people to drink responsibly is not just good for society; it's good for business.
Our Houston accident lawyers point out that the joint effort results in part from the shocking number of fatal drunk driving accidents last year. There were 3,024 Texas traffic fatalities in 2010, of which 1,102 resulted from alcohol-relate accidents. That's almost 40% (36.4%) of fatal Texas traffic accidents that resulted from DWI or alcohol-impaired driving.
Where prevention doesn't work, stiffened penalties could help keep drunk drivers off the roads. These Houston accident lawyers remind you that first time DWI offenders, when convicted, could receive fines up to $2,000, loss of their Texas drivers' licenses up to a year, and up to 180 days (6 months) in jail. In addition, the DWI offenders face the steep costs of bail, lawyer's fees, court appearances, mandated classes, increased car insurance premiums, and other expenses. If they've had a drunk driving accident, the DWI offenders might also face medical bills or compensation costs for the victims.
Call us at 877-307-9500 to speak with a Board Certified Houston Personal Injury Attorney about YOUR case today!