Serious car accidents are heart-wrenching no matter the circumstances, but they’re particularly devastating if they’re alcohol related.
Although drunk-driving rates have gone down, thanks to ad campaigns and harsher penalties, it remains a rampant problem. In Indiana, over 2,000 people were killed in drunk-driving accidents between 2003 and 2012. In the United States, 30 people are killed in drunk-driving accidents every single day. Even those that survive are often left with debilitating injuries.
For activists and government organizations trying to stymie the problem, understanding why people drive under the influence is critical.
The following are a few common reasons people drink and drive:
- Invincibility Complex: Unfortunately, many young people overestimate their ability to drive drunk, especially if they have done it before. In fact, many see it as a challenge and may do it to show off.
- Avoiding Confrontation: Many people become surly after a drink and may not respond kindly if someone tries to stop them from driving. One of the primary reasons people let their friends drive drunk is to avoid an argument.
- Embarrassment: Asking for a ride home is seem by many as an act of weakness, bringing a person’s toughness and their ability to handle alcohol into question. For this reason, people often drive drunk so others won’t look down at them.
- Altered mental state: It’s difficult to make sound decisions after drinking too much. For this reason, even people who have a plan for how to get home end up drinking and driving anyways.
A conviction for drunk driving can have tremendous consequences, and may result in fines, penalties, and even imprisonment. The criminal justice system can be difficult to navigate, especially for the uninitiated. Kammen and Moudy prioritize the interests of the client while providing a tenacious defense of their rights.
