Tennessee DUI Statistics
Nashville Car Accident Lawyers Handle DUI-Related Injuries
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), “Every day, almost 29 people in the United States die of alcohol-impaired vehicle crashes- that’s one person every 50 minutes in 2016. Drunk driving fatalities have fallen by a third in the last three decades; however, drunk driving crashes claim more than 10,000 lives per year.” Drunk driving has drastically impacted the state of Tennessee, and continues to be a significant issue across the country, as well. Driving while intoxicated is against the law, yet many people get behind the wheel after drinking. It’s essential that residents in the state of Tennessee understand the importance of not driving while intoxicated, and make it their priority to help keep Tennessee roads safe for all drivers. Drunk driving accidents unfortunately happen, and if you or someone you love has suffered an injury due to the irresponsible actions of another driver, a Nashville car accident lawyer can fight for the compensation you deserve.
An article by the Tennessean in March 2018 reported a man facing various charges after a crash in East Nashville. The man had been drinking before he crashed and killed a woman. He has been charged with aggravated vehicular homicide, two counts of vehicular assault, and driving with a revoked license. According to the police report, “freshly opened beer” was found inside the vehicle that he was driving. This led police to believe he was drinking before the accident occurred. This tragic incident is just one example of many cases where driving while intoxicated resulted in injuries or death. No one deserves to suffer an injury due to drunk driving. The attorneys at Mitch Grissim & Associates are here to assist those who have been a victim of drunk driving. Victims can potentially receive compensation for pain and suffering, medical expenses, and exemplary damages.
DUI and Car Accident Statistics
The Rate of Deaths in Tennessee by Age (per 100,000 population) between 2003-2012:
- 1.6% ages 0-20
- 8.0% ages 21-34
- “4.9% ages 35 and above”
More Statistics
- 3,423 people were killed in crashes involving a drunk driver in Tennessee
- Percentage of adults who reported driving after drinking too much in the past 30 days was 1.9% nationally and 1.1% in Tennessee alone.
Driving under the influence is against the law and will almost always result in criminal charges. Drivers who have a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) above 0.08% are considered, by law, to be alcohol-impaired. When an individual has a BAC range of 0.09% to 0.25% it causes lethargy, or a state of weariness and fatigue.
Accidents and “Sober Up TN” Program
The state of Tennessee began a program that allows the Tennessee Highway Patrol state troopers additional hours to patrol roads for potential drunk drivers. This includes bar checks, sobriety checkpoints, and educating the community on the dangers of drunk driving. The program is meant to help keep the highways of Tennessee safe for drivers and inform the community about the importance of choosing not to drink and drive. The Department of Safety & Homeland Security says that the goals of the “Sober Up TN” program are:
- Increasing the number of sobriety checkpoints
- Enforcing DUI and alcohol-related offenses
- Reducing fatalities where alcohol was indicated as a contributing factor
- Facilitating community meetings to solicit citizen attendance and input and involve local agencies, district attorney generals, school and court officials and associated stakeholders.
For more information about the program, go to The Department of Safety & Homeland Security for more information.
Don’t Drive Impaired, Ask for a Ride
If you or someone you know has been drinking, don’t drive. It could result in a serious motor vehicle accident and criminal charges. People commonly base their ability to drive on how they feel after drinking. This is misleading, because even if you have a high tolerance for alcohol and don’t feel drunk as fast as others, it is still in your blood. After only a couple drinks you can blow a .08% BAC, even if you don’t ‘feel’ drunk. Here are a few steps you can take if you or someone you know has been drinking:
- Consider a designated driver
- Ask for a ride home with a sober friend or family member
- Arrange a cab ride home through Uber or Lyft
Remember not to allow a friend or yourself to be a negligent driver. Ask for a ride home to ensure you arrive safely and protect the lives of other Tennessee drivers on the highways.
Contact a Nashville Attorney
Although the state of Tennessee has implemented the “Sober Up TN” program, some people continue to drive under the influence, like the man that now faces criminal charges after killing a woman in a car accident. Motor vehicle accidents involving impaired driving are dangerous and can result in serious injuries or death. If you or someone you love has suffered an injury or died due to drunk driving, you could receive compensation for your losses. To speak with a knowledgeable and experienced attorney in Nashville, call us today at (615) 645-3391 or fill out our free consultation form.
