Did you know that 70% of teenagers admit to drinking alcohol, and 10% of them admit to drinking and driving? In a national survey, it was found that 24% of teens had ridden in a car within the last month with a driver who had been drinking. Follow the link for more statistics like these ones.
Memorial Day weekend has a historically higher alcohol-impaired traffic fatality rate than the rest of the year nationwide. In the year 2020, alcohol impaired traffic fatalities were the culprit of 30% of all crashes, where they were the cause of 41% of the crashes over Memorial Day weekend in 2020.
The NSC (National Safety Council) is estimating that there will be about 450 fatalities this Memorial Day weekend (Memorial Day Alcohol-Impaired Driving Statistics). If the statistics are similar to those of 2020, about 185 of those will be caused be alcohol-impaired driving.
Of course, we all hope the statistic is entirely wrong and nobody will lose their life, sadly that will most likely not come true. One way people can try to keep themselves and their loved ones safe is by wearing their seat belts. Studies show that seat belts are 45% effective in preventing fatalities for passengers riding in the front seat of the car. The NSC estimates that seat belts will save 178 lives this Memorial Day weekend, and that an additional 104 lives could be saved if all people in the vehicle wore seat belts.
Stay safe this Memorial Day weekend. Be sure to have a designated sober driver if you will be drinking, and make sure everyone in the car is buckled up before the car is put into drive.
OWI is not just a criminal matter. While criminal penalties can include jail and probation, the civil penalties are just as severe. They include fines, driver’s license suspension, mandatory alcohol assessment, and ignition interlock device. Having an experienced defense attorney is important if you wish to limit your exposure to these harsh civil consequences.
A 14-year-old was cited for OWI in the aftermath of a crash that hurt five people in Madison on March 14. This is a reminder that the legal limit for drivers under the age of 21 is 0.0.
https://www.weau.com/2022/03/15/14-year-old-cited-owi-crash-that-hurt-five-people/
The breath tests administered when someone is under suspicion of drunk driving are so entrenched in our society that the Breathalyzer brand has reached the level of Kleenex, becoming the common name used for all breath tests.
You may know the name Breathalyzer, but we think the following three facts are crucial for you to remember if an officer stops you on suspicion of drunk driving.
You are within your rights to decide not to submit to a breath test unless the police have a warrant, but there are consequences to making that choice. Refusing to submit to a breath test can result in the revocation of your driving privileges. You will have 10 days to request a court hearing after refusing a breath or blood test.
Your fifth and sixth amendment rights generally don’t apply to traffic stops. Telling the officers that you wish to speak to a lawyer before submitting to a test can be considered a refusal, exposing you to the consequences that come with that decision.
The portable breath test administered during a traffic stop is considered a “preliminary breath test”. The “official” breath test is administered using different equipment. Refusing the preliminary breath test will typically not result in the revoking a driver’s license, but refusing the official test will.
Did you know? Wisconsin law provides for the permanent revocation of driving privileges when a person has four or more OWI offenses. Permanent revocation also makes a person ineligible for an occupational license.
https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/dmv/license-drvs/susp-or-rvkd/lifetime-rev.aspx
Technology such as an infrared light that can detect signs of alcohol in the blood or devices for detecting alcohol on a driver’s breath could be in all new vehicles as soon as 2026.
https://www.wisn.com/article/anti-drunk-driving-technology-could-be-in-all-new-cars-by-2026/38642715#
Will the next generation’s attitude towards alcohol and drugs result in fewer arrests?
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2021/12/16/teen-drug-alcohol-use-declines-survey/8922201002/
We are in the midst of a very dangerous time on Wisconsin roads and highways.
OWI arrests tend to be at their highest in the period between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. This makes sense, as the holiday season is the perfect time to eat, drink and be merry. Whether you are attending a company party, meeting up with friends, or catching up with your loved ones, there is no shortage of opportunities to imbibe socially during this most festive time of year.
The good news is that it has never been easier to get home safely without driving under the influence. It is no longer a valid excuse to say “easier said than done” when reminded not to take the risk of drinking and driving.
Keep the following tips in mind this holiday season to stay safe and avoid spending Christmas morning in the drunk tank:
Our advice on drunk driving is simple: just don’t do it.
You may be tempted to pay the fines, jump through the hoops and move on with your life. That course of action can expose you to criminal charges and the collateral consequences that come with having a criminal record. Additionally, any OWI can result in the suspension of your license, mandatory alcohol assessment, and the installation of an ignition interlock device. It is essential to have an attorney looking out for you regardless of whether this is your first brush with the law.
