On the morning of August 23, 2009, an accident on I-65 killed one and injured a driver. The accident occurred when a truck was traveling north on the interstate and lost control of their vehicle. The truck then hit the guard rail causing the passenger, Jason L. Smith, to be thrown from the truck. Emergency services responded and pronounced Smith dead at the scene. The driver of the truck was transported to the hospital, and their condition was not released. Police strongly suspected that alcohol was involved.
Statistics
- In 2009, there were 10,839 fatalities in crashes involving a drunk driver. These drivers had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher.
- An average of one alcohol-related fatality occurs every 48 minutes, in 2009.
- When it comes to motorcycles, 29% rode with a BAC of .08 or above and were involved in fatal crashes. That was the highest percentage for motorcycle riders that year.
- Drivers with a BAC level of .08 or higher in fatal crashes were eight times more likely to have a prior conviction than drivers who had no alcohol.
Don’t drink and drive
There is never a reason or excuse for driving while under the influence of alcohol, drugs or anything that will hamper your ability to drive. You are risking your life as well as the lives of others when you drive under the influence. Fortunately, there are ways to prevent drunk driving. These include:
- Not drinking alcohol if you know you are going to be driving.
- If you’re going to an event with friends, have a designated driver.
- Know your limits and don’t exceed them.
- If you’re going to a party at a friend’s house, plan on staying the night.
- You could also call a cab or use a ride sharing app like Uber to get a ride home.
These are just a few ways to prevent you from drinking and driving. It’s important that you don’t try to drive, even if you think you can safely drive. Many drunk driving accident occur because the driver thought they were aware enough to drive. The truth is, alcohol impairs your judgment, sight and reaction skills. This can happen after just one drink! Please be careful and know your limits when you’re at an event that is serving alcohol. Remember to never drink and drive.
For more information contact the Louisville personal injury lawyers at The Shafer Law Office today!
Related: Louisville Uber Accident Lawyer