Related: Study: Kentucky Has Lowest Percentage of DUI-Related Crashes
Ignition interlock device
An ignition interlock is a device attached into a vehicle that prevents drivers from starting their car until they pass a breathalyzer test. According to the The Centers for Disease Control, this measure pulls down accidents caused by repeat offenders by two thirds. Currently, 24 states already have similar laws, four of which are our neighbors: Tennessee, West Virginia, Illinois and Missouri.
Statistics
In 2012, 100 drivers under the age of 18 and a total of 23,157 drivers were arrested due to DUI in Kentucky. According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving, DUI arrests and DUI convictions in Kentucky reached a total of 24,160 and 24,764 respectively, last year. A total of 167 were killed, which accounts for 26.2% of all total traffic deaths.
The taxpayer subsidy of drunk driving fatalities, meanwhile, has reached a whopping $784 million.
It’s safe to say, everyone loses in drunk driving.
Related: Drunk Driving In Kentucky Takes Lives
Driving sober
The only way you can prevent getting arrested or avoid the consequences of driving under the influence is to not get behind the wheel drunk. If you’re going to have a drink or two, make sure that somebody else drives for you. The Kentucky Office of Highway Safety has created a free mobile app, the NO DUI Kentucky, which, among others, provides you with a list of companies that can give you a safe ride back home in case you’ve been drinking.
More important, do not drink more than you can handle. If you know you get a little stubborn when you’re drunk, it would be safer to just leave your car keys at home and have someone be the designated driver. That way, you will all make it home safely.
As a Kentucky Accident Attorney, I support everyone, motorists and lawmakers alike, in their effort to reduce drunk driving accidents. The success of these campaigns and policies lie in everyone’s willingness to cooperate. So, let’s all make it a habit to always drive sober, no matter w