Seattle, WA - The drunk driving accident lawyers at Davis Law Group, a Seattle-based personal injury law firm, are urging drivers to stay safe on the road this weekend as they kick off the summer and honor U.S. military heroes over the Memorial Day holiday. In 2010, 160 people were killed in drunk driving crashes nationwide during the Memorial Day weekend. Celebrate safely, don't drink and drive.
The 100 days between the start of the Memorial Day weekend and the end of the Labor Day weekend are often referred to as the ‘100 deadliest days of the year’ due to the huge spike in motor vehicle crashes and the larger portion of those collisions that involve impaired driving.
The U.S. Department of Transportation cites the Memorial Day, 4th of July, and Labor Day holiday weekends as having some of the highest number of DUI crashes and fatalities.
Car crashes are the leading cause of death for U.S. teens and one out of three of those collisions involve alcohol. An average of 422 teens die in traffic crashes during each of the deadly summer months as compared to a monthly average of 363 teen deaths during the non-summer months.
According to AAA, over 7,300 teen drivers and passengers died in traffic crashes between the Memorial Day and Labor Day holidays between 2005 and 2009.
What makes the ‘100 Deadliest Days’ so deadly? Unfortunately, summer can be a dangerous time for teens that are in automobiles. During the summer months teens are free from the regularity of school and scheduled activities. Inexperienced drivers distracted by friends in the car and impaired due to under-age drinking make for an increase in collisions during the 100 deadly days.
Traffic collisions is the leading cause of death for US young people, with markedly higher numbers of car crashes involving teens occurring during the months while school is not in session.
Washington State DUI Statistics
Law enforcement officers arrest more than 40,000 drivers for DUI each year in Washington. In any given year 40-55% of all fatal traffic collision deaths in Washington State involve alcohol.
Washington State’s Target Zero and ‘Drive Hammered, Get Nailed’ Programs
Under the Target Zero and ‘Drive Hammered, Get Nailed’ programs, multiple law enforcement agencies in Washington state work together to focus on preventing fatal or serious injury collisions. Every weekend during the summer months there will be increased DUI patrols.
What Happens To DUI Offenders in Washington State?
A DUI arrest in Washington means license suspension, jail time, and up to $5,000 in fines and fees. You may be ordered to install and pay for a device (called an ignition interlock) that won’t allow your car to start if you have any alcohol in your system. The court can order you to pay for and attend alcohol or drug treatment.
About Davis Law Group
Davis Law Group is an award-winning injury law firm located in Seattle serving drunk driving victims across the state of Washington. Founding attorney Chris Davis and his wife Mischelle are advocates for tougher drunk driving laws in the state and actively support programs and organizations that seek to raise awareness and a prevent impaired driving.
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