December Is National Impaired Driving Prevention Month
The winter holiday season is a joyful time for friends and family to celebrate. It is also the deadliest season for impaired driving. Impaired driving is the number one cause of motor vehicle crashes, injuries, and fatalities. That is why December is National Impaired Driving Prevention Month. Below, we will review Nevada’s impaired driving laws and provide tips to recognize and prevent impaired driving.
We hope the below information helps you stay safe and sober on the roads this winter holiday season. If an impaired driver injures you, you should seek medical attention immediately. Once you have gotten the injuries tended to, you should seek legal help from a Las Vegas personal injury lawyer. The law firm of Anthem Injury Lawyers has a dedicated team of personal injury lawyers experienced in representing clients in a range of car accident cases, including impaired driving cases. Contact us today at (702) 857-6000 to make an appointment for a free consultation.
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Steps to Prevent Impaired Driving
Impaired driving is dangerous driving. There are several steps people can take to prevent impaired driving, including the following:
- Offering to be a designated driver.
- Appointing a designated driver to take all car keys.
- Getting a ride to and from parties where there is alcohol and/or drugs.
- Discussing the risks of drugged driving with friends in advance.
Drivers can be impaired by more than just alcohol and prohibited substances. Medication impaired driving can greatly increase the likelihood of an accident. Do the following to help prevent medication impaired driving:
- Consult with your doctor about the side effects of any prescription medication before driving.
- Read warning labels of medication before getting behind the wheel.
- Proceed with caution when you start a new medication. Be aware of how it can impact your ability to safely operate a motor vehicle.
The law firm of Anthem Injury Lawyers understands that even the most cautious driver can be injured in a car accident. If another driver has injured you, it’s important that you seek experienced legal representation. Our car accident lawyers serve the Las Vegas area with the knowledge and expertise to help you gain maximum compensation for your injuries. Contact Anthem Injury Lawyers today at (702) 857-6000 to make an appointment for a free consultation.
How to Identify an Impaired Driver
According to the 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, in 2018:
- 20.5 million people aged 16 or older drove under the influence of alcohol in the past year.
- 12.6 million drove under the influence of illicit drugs.
Can you identify the signs of an impaired driver? MADD provides the following 15 signs that a driver may be impaired:
- Quick acceleration or deceleration
- Tailgating
- Weaving or zig-zagging across the road
- Driving anywhere other than on a road designated for vehicles
- Almost striking an object, curb, or vehicle
- Stopping without cause or erratic braking
- Drifting in and out of traffic lanes
- Signaling that is inconsistent with driving actions
- Slow response to traffic signals
- Straddling the center lane marker
- Driving with headlights off at night
- Swerving
- Driving slower than 10 mph below the speed limit
- Turning abruptly or illegally
- Driving into opposing traffic on the wrong side of the road
If you suspect an impaired driver, do not engage. Try to make a note of the vehicle’s license plate number and driving direction. Then contact authorities.
If an impaired driver injures you, contact an experienced personal injury lawyer. The experienced team at Anthem Injury Lawyers will work aggressively to protect your rights and help you receive maximum compensation. We work on a contingency basis, so you don’t have to worry about upfront fees. Our law office is in Henderson, Nevada, and we work with clients in Las Vegas and vicinity. Contact us today at (702) 857-6000 to make an appointment for a free consultation. Our car accident lawyers can come to you in the Las Vegas area, should your injuries be severe or you cannot otherwise visit our office.
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Know the Law
In 2018, 133 people died on Nevada’s roadways in impaired driving crashes. Impaired driving can include alcohol and other substances.
Alcohol
In Nevada, it is unlawful to drive with a concentration of alcohol of .08 or more in your blood or breath. The limit is .04 in commercial driving.
If you’ve been in an accident with an alcohol-impaired driver, contact the police and get medical help immediately. Let the police know that you suspect the other driver was impaired. The police may administer a portable breath test to test if the driver is above the legal blood alcohol limit. They may also administer a standardized field sobriety test. The police report and any test results can be important evidence in supporting your case.
Once you’ve received medical care, contact Anthem Injury Lawyers for assistance with handling the details of your drunk driving accident case. Our Las Vegas car accident lawyers offer you years of experience winning cases against impaired drivers. Our level of experience is what you need when you want to have the best opportunity to gain maximum compensation for your injuries in a Las Vegas car accident. Contact us today at (702) 857-6000 to make an appointment for a free consultation.
Prohibited Substances
In Nevada, it is unlawful to drive under the influence of prohibited substances. It is important to understand that Nevada law does not differentiate penalties for marijuana-impaired driving from alcohol-impaired driving. Under Nevada law, prohibited substances include the following:
- Amphetamine
- Cocaine
- Cocaine metabolite
- Heroin
- Heroin metabolite
- Lysergic acid diethylamide
- Methamphetamine
- Phencyclidine
- Marijuana
- Marijuana metabolite
Driving under the influence of prohibited substances is dangerous. If an impaired driver injures you, it is important to work with an experienced Las Vegas lawyer. Anthem Injury Lawyers have experienced car accident lawyers who are ready to help you. Contact us today at (702) 857-6000 to make an appointment for a free consultation.
Controlled Substances
In Nevada, you can be arrested and convicted for driving under the influence of a controlled substance. Nevada Revised Statute 484C.110(2) provides the following:
It is unlawful for any person who:
(a) Is under the influence of a controlled substance;
(b) Is under the combined influence of intoxicating liquor and a controlled substance; or
(c) Inhales, ingests, applies or otherwise uses any chemical, poison or organic solvent, or any compound or combination of any of these, to a degree which renders the person incapable of safely driving or exercising actual physical control of a vehicle,
to drive or be in actual physical control of a vehicle on a highway or on premises to which the public has access. The fact that any person charged with a violation of this subsection is or has been entitled to use that drug under the laws of this State is not a defense against any charge of violating this subsection.
If you are the victim of an impaired driver, contact an experienced Las Vegas lawyer. Anthem Injury Lawyers have experienced impaired driving accident lawyers who are ready to help you. Contact us today at (702) 857-6000 to make an appointment for a free consultation.
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Teen Driver Safety
December is a great time to talk to your teen about sober driving. Nevada has a .02 blood alcohol limit for drivers under 21 years of age. Drivers can also be arrested for any detectable amount of a controlled or prohibited substance. Talk to your teen about the dangers of impaired driving and the dangers of getting into a car with an impaired driver. Guidelines to discuss with your teen include the following:
- Never allow alcohol or illegal drugs in the car.
- Do not drive while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
- Do not ride in a car with a driver who is under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
If an impaired teen driver injures you or a loved one, consult with an experienced personal injury lawyer. Anthem Injury Lawyers are an experienced team of personal injury lawyers. Our office is in Henderson and we handle personal injury cases in Las Vegas and vicinity. Remember: insurance companies are not motivated to pay you what you deserve as a car accident victim. Our car accident lawyers can protect your rights and help you gain the just compensation you are entitled to. Contact us today at (702) 857-6000 to make an appointment for a free consultation.
EXPERIENCED LAS VEGAS PERSONAL INJURY LAWYERS
Has an impaired driver injured you in the Las Vegas area? You should speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer. Award-winning personal injury law firm Anthem Injury Lawyers is a team of experienced, dedicated personal injury lawyers based in Henderson, Nevada. With over 25 years of experience, Anthem Injury Lawyers specializes in personal injury claims. Don’t forget: If you cannot visit our Las Vegas area office, we can come to you to discuss your car accident case. Let’s schedule your meeting with us. Call us at (702) 857-6000 to make an appointment for a free consultation.
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