Drunk driving plays a significant role in the number of car accidents in Ohio. The Ohio State Highway Patrol said drunk driving cause more than 40 percent of all fatal car accidents in Ohio last year. Drunk driving accidents are a serious threat in Ohio and law enforcement has been trying to reduce the high number of car accidents caused by impaired drivers.
To address the dangers of drunk driving and the impact it has on car accidents, the Ohio State Highway Patrol increased their patrols to try and catch drunk drivers. It appears their crackdown on DWI offenders worked. The Ohio State Highway Patrol reported that they had a three percent increase in drunk driving arrests in 2012 compared to 2011. They reported that they arrested 24,520 drivers suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Just as the number of drunk driving arrests increased in Ohio, the number of drunk driving car accidents also increased in 2012. The state reported a 14 percent increase in car accidents that involved drunk drivers, citing that 12,168 accidents were caused by drunk drivers last year. Of those crashes, 431 people were killed and over 7,000 people were injured after these accidents.
Drunk driving accidents pose a serious threat to all drivers on Ohio roads. Drunk drivers in Ohio can be held responsible for causing car accidents and the injuries or fatalities that result from the accident. Victims of drunk driving car accidents can file a personal injury lawsuit against the drunk driver who was responsible for the crash and subsequent injuries and other damages.
Victims of drunk driving accidents should consult a personal injury attorney to discuss their specific case and what legal options are available according to Ohio laws.
Source: WOWK TV, “Some drunk driving numbers in Ohio are rising,” March 7, 2013
