New York Drivers and Residents Should be on Alert for Drunk Drivers this New Years

The State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) asked New Yorkers to be on the alert this New Years for drunk drivers.  The OASAS is reminding New York residents that being on aware of and reporting people who are driving drunk is just as important as reporting a suicidal person, a person with an illegal firearm, or a person plotting to kill someone.  There should be no difference when it comes to reporting people who are driving drunk in New York.

Every year in New York, especially in New York City, thousands of car crashes occur because of drunk driving and many driver and pedestrians alike are severely injured and in some cases die.  While efforts to stop drunk driving seem to have decreased the numbers of people driving drunk in New York in the past year the accidents that occured in 2008 seem to have been more severe and fatal when compared to those of the previoius year.  In 2008 alone 9,202 alcohol related car accidents occured in New York of which 355 resulted in death.  Of the 355 people that died due to a alcohol related car accident:

• 212 drivers were killed (195 of them were drunk)
• 77 passengers were killed
• 82 pedestrians were killed
• 10 bicyclists were killed

New York State officials are urging people to report drunk drivers this New Years and anytime for that matter to help reduce the number of alcohol related accidents in New York and to reduce the number of deaths due to drunk driving.

In an effort to help keep children safe in New York against drunk drivers a law was put into effect that makes it a felony to drive under the influence with a child in the car that is 15 years of age or younger.  The law is called Leandra's Law.  So far numerous arrests have been made throughout New York State since this law was put into place.

In addition to the efforts already discussed certain areas of New York have put Social Host laws into effect.  The Social Host laws are put in place to help prevent parents or any other adults from hosting parties and giving alcohol to children, teens or young adults under the age 21.  The Social Host laws are currently in effect in Albany, Dutchess, Greene, Monroe, Montgomery, Nassau, Suffolk, Ulster, Warren, Washington, Westchester and Livingston.

To help children and adults alike stay safe this New Years in New York please help us in the OASAS's Be Alert Communities.  Keep an eye out for anyone you may see that is drinking and then wants to drive, especially if they have a child or young teen in the car with them.  If you notice a drunk driver or someone who is intoxicated and attempts to drive contact the proper authorities. 

While preventing drunk driving is ultimately the goal of these efforts by the New York community and people nationwide accidents still occur because of drunk drivers at times.  If you or a loved one has been injured by a drunk driver in New York and would like to speak with an injury attorney about the injuries you have suffered by an intoxicated driver contact Frank J. Dito Jr. Staten Island New York car accident attorney at 718.979.4300 or 800.976.4904 or fill out our contact form.  After our inital phone call we will schedule an appointment for you to come in for a free car accident case evaluation.