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Driving on Connecticut highways can be a bit like playing roulette. You get behind the wheel and hope for the best. You may assume that if you are alert, cautious and adhering to all traffic regulations while driving, you will be safe and avoid injury. This is a logical assumption; however, there may be little or nothing you can do to avert disaster if a drunk driver is in your midst.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2.1% of adults in Connecticut report driving after drinking too much. This is higher than the national average of 1.9%. Additionally, about 1 in 3 traffic deaths in the United States involve a drunk driver. In Connecticut, 1,039 people were killed in accidents involving a drunk driver between 2003 and 2012.
In the event that a drunk driver hits you before you can escape his or her path, it’s good to know where to seek support, especially if you suffer injury. At Mariani Reck Lane LLC, our attorneys are experienced in alcohol-related accidents and are here to help you. Come find out why the right lawyer makes a big difference.
Be proactive about your own safety
You can’t change another driver’s actions but you can take control of your own. The following list includes ideas that may reduce your chances of suffering injury in motor vehicle accidents involving drunk drivers:
- The old driver’s adage, “Be smart and buckle up” is sage advice. Many people avoid serious injury and fatality by using their seat belts.
- It’s easy to fall into the habit of traveling too close to the car in front of you when Connecticut roads are traffic-laden. However, keeping two car-lengths of space between you and the car ahead may save your life if a drunk driver is nearby.
- Intersections are extremely dangerous places. Navigate such areas with extra caution because drunk drivers often blow through red lights or stop signs at crossroads.
- Did your parents ever warn you that nothing good happens away from home during late-night hours? This may be true regarding driving after midnight because drunk drivers are likelier to be on the road at such times.
- Avoid driving on major holidays, such as Memorial Day or New Year’s Eve. You are at greater risk for drunk driving collisions and injury during holidays, especially if they fall on weekends.
If you have inexperienced drivers in your household, it’s a good idea to share these ideas and other safety tips with them. In the event that your caution and keen observations on the road are not enough to protect you from harm, you can take comfort in knowing that resources are available to help you get medical attention, repair or replace your vehicle and seek full recovery for the losses you suffer if a drunk driver causes you to wreck.