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Drunk Driving a Leading Cause of Car Accidents in Knoxville, Maryville
Our Knoxville accident lawyers know that in 2009, alcohol was involved in more than one-third of all fatal Tennessee car accidents. Knox News reported on a recent early morning crash that sent 3 people to the hospital.
The accident happened in front of Rocky Hill Elementary School, located in the 1200 block of Morrell Road. A Honda traveling southbound slammed into a Toyota traveling northbound around 1:40 a.m. The driver of the southbound vehicle was cited for driving on a suspended license. Law enforcement suspect alcohol may have been involved.
All injuries sustained in the crash appeared non-life threatening.
Brittany Thomas, 21, and her 10-month old son Aiden were not so fortunate. It was a little over a year ago, when they were killed on Alcoa Highway by an accused drunk driver whose car drove across the median, flew into the air, and hit Brittany’s car.
WBIR-TV 10 reports that to honor these two victims law enforcement officials set up sobriety checkpoints along Alcoa Highway. Several agencies sponsored two billboards featuring Brittany and Aiden, and warning drivers on the tragic consequences of drinking and driving.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported nearly 11,000 people lost their lives in drunk driving accidents in 2009. This is at the alarming rate of about 1 every 45 minutes. In Tennessee 345 of 989 fatal crashes were alcohol related.
Other 2009 NHTSA facts about alcohol impaired driving:
-32% of total traffic fatalities are alcohol-related.
-14% of children (age 14 and under) died in alcohol-related crashes.
-37% of alcohol-related fatal crashes happen at night versus 9% during the day.
-16% of alcohol-related fatal crashes happen during the week versus 31% during the weekend.
-35% of the drivers in fatal alcohol crashes were 21 to 24 years old.
Always remember these safety tips:
-Before the celebrating begins designate a sober driver.
-Never serve alcohol to anyone under the age of 21.
-If you are hosting the event, provide non-alcoholic drinks as an option and stop serving at least an hour before the event ends.
-Don’t let anyone leave that has had too much.
If you or a loved one is injured or killed in an accident in Tennessee, contact Hartsoe Law Firm, P.C. for a confidential appointment to discuss your rights with our Knoxville injury lawyer and Maryville accident attorney. Call (865) 804-1011.