Drunk Driving Victims
4 Ways California, and the Nation, Are Combating Drunk Driving
| June 23rd, 2014
Drunk driving has reached epidemic levels in the United States today. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, almost 32 motorists are killed each day in our country as the result of crashes that are caused by a drunk driver. This disturbing statistic leaves many wondering what is being done to keep intoxicated motorists off the road and the California DUI injury attorneys with Berg Injury Lawyers point to three specific ways this problem is currently being addressed, which include:- Education and Awareness- Organizations like Mothers Against Drunk Driving are working to let drivers of all ages know about the serious risks that are posed by getting behind the wheel after consuming alcohol.
- Enforcement- Police officers and troopers across California and the nation are holding sobriety checkpoints to catch impaired drivers in the act, which has led to an increase in prosecutions and has successfully deterred some drunk drivers from taking to the roads.
- Technology- Convicted drunk drivers may be required to have ignition interlock devices installed on their vehicles. This piece of technology prevents motorists from being able to start their vehicles if there is alcohol in their systems.
- Sober Ride Programs- At Berg Injury Lawyers, we work to keep drunk drivers off the road through our Safe and Sober campaign, which provides free rides home to those who have had too much to drink.
2 Ways Californians Are Working to Prevent Drunk Driving Accidents
| April 21st, 2014
There is an epidemic of drunk driving spreading across California and the United States, especially among teenagers. Estimates from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration show approximately 7,000 motorists between ages 15-20 are killed every year as the result of drunk driving accidents. That means one life is lost to the behavior every 15 minutes. In an effort to combat the dangers drunk driving poses to Californians, a realistic safety campaign has been launched that focuses on this particular statistic. The Pleasanton Weekly explains high school students who participate in the Every 15 Minutes campaign view a crash scene that has been staged to include their peers, law enforcement, and emergency responders. They are then told that one of their peers was drinking and driving, and caused the crash that claimed the lives of local students and left others seriously injured. The driver “responsible” for the wreck is arrested and charged, while the deceased and injured are taken from the scene. Later in the day, selected students are pulled from class every 15 minutes to illustrate how quickly drunk drivers take lives. Participation in programs like this leaves many wondering what they can do to prevent drunk driving accidents. The California personal injury attorneys with Berg Injury Lawyers explain the best way to prevent drunk driving is to use designated drivers, cabs, or public transportation after consuming alcohol, and to encourage others to do the same. In an effort to help prevent drunk driving accidents, Berg Injury Lawyers sponsors a program called Safe and Sober, which provides free cab rides home for residents of Sacramento and San Francisco on certain holidays. The Safe and Sober program will offer free rides home during the upcoming Cinco de Mayo celebrations. Check out the firm’s Facebook page for details on how to get a free cab ride home this May 5.California Law Enforcement Utilizing New Technology To Take Drugged Drivers Off The Road
| December 30th, 2013
December 30, 2013 While most motorists are aware of the dangers posed by drunk driving, many remain unaware the same dangers are presented by drivers who choose to get behind the wheel after consuming certain drugs. In fact, drugged driving is becoming more prevalent than ever before on the roads of California. The California Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers with Berg Injury Lawyers explain that in an effort to combat the problem, law enforcement is looking into advancements in technology that may be beneficial in detecting drugs. States such as California have laws preventing motorists from operating a vehicle while under the influence of controlled substances, like certain drugs. However, an article from RT News explains one of the most difficult parts of enforcing drugged driving laws is determining what type of drug the driver has consumed and quantifying their level of intoxication. That’s why this New Year’s Eve, a holiday that notoriously brings drugged and drunk drivers to the road, law enforcement in certain areas of the state will be utilizing a piece of technology that allows officers to take a saliva swab from a potentially intoxicated driver’s mouth and determine if they have consumed any number of drugs recently. The results from the test are available almost immediately, rather than the days and weeks it could previously take officers to get test results back. The California Personal Injury Lawyers with Berg Injury Lawyers are hopeful the new technology is effective in keeping motorists safe this holiday season!Several Tips To Keep Motorists Safe During High Speed Pursuits
| January 16th, 2012
January 16, 2012 High-speed vehicle pursuits down the highway gets our adrenaline pumping in the movies. But what if you found yourself to be the helpless bystander of a real car chase during your daily commute? This happens almost on a daily basis across California, and observations have shown that most motorists don’t know what to do. An article in The Sacramento Bee described a chase that occurred several weeks ago along California’s Highway 99. News footage shows that as the chase progresses, the cars around the chase acted as if nothing was happening. They stayed at the same speed and made no efforts to get out of the way. California Highway Patrol (CHP) says that one reason this occurs is that drivers don’t scan their mirrors often enough. They suggest that motorists check all of their mirrors every 15-20 seconds. If you find yourself in the middle of a high-speed pursuit, CHP Trooper Mike Bradley stated that you should not slow down, but turn on your right blinker and work your way over to the shoulder of the highway. If you see a crime scene ahead, pull over and stop well behind officer vehicles. The California auto accident attorneys with Berg Injury Lawyers fight for victims who have been injured in accidents and support community safety campaigns throughout the year in order to prevent accidents. If you are the victim of a car accident, contact an experienced attorney today.Berg Injury Lawyers Helps Local Residents by Giving Away Hands-Free Headsets
| June 25th, 2008
June 25, 2008 With California’s new hands-free law taking effect July 1, 2008, many Californians are purchasing headsets for their cell phones so they can continue to talk while driving. Any motorists, who are caught chatting on their cell phones without a hands-free device starting July 1, will be fined. To help local residents and alleviate the added costs of purchasing headsets, Berg Injury Lawyers will be distributing 2,000 complimentary hands-free headsets. “With the new law taking effect, many Californians are faced with the added expense of purchasing hands-free headsets,” said attorney William Berg, founder of Berg Injury Lawyers. “By giving these headsets away, I hope to alleviate the extra expense while promoting safe driving. As part of my job, I constantly hear about car accidents that could have been easily avoided if drivers had been paying more attention to the traffic around them. I hope that this new law helps keep all drivers a little safer on the roads.” The law, which takes effect July 1, 2008, is meant to protect everyone on the road by reducing driver distraction. According to the Public Policy Institute of California, an estimated 300 lives will be saved annually in California due to the new law. Additionally, Connecticut, Washington, New York, New Jersey, Chicago, and Washington, D.C., currently have laws in place to ban using hand-held mobile devices while driving. To receive a complimentary hands-free headset, visit the firm’s Web site at www.BergInjuryLawyers.com and fill out a simple form. Headsets will be available at Berg Injury Lawyers’ Alameda, Modesto, and Sacramento office locations beginning July 3 while supplies last. About California’s Hands-Free Law- While those 18 and older are allowed to use hands-free headsets, those under 18 aren’t allowed to use mobile devices with or without hands-free accessories (VC §23124).
- Police officers will begin ticketing drivers who use cell phones without hands-free devices on July 1. The first offense results in a $20 fine and the second offense is a $50 fine. Multiple offenses could result in more than triple the base amount.
- Drivers are allowed to use their cell phones without hands-free devices during emergencies to call police, fire, or medical authorities.
