The roads can be especially dangerous during the winter holiday season. For more than 40 years, December has been recognized as National Impaired Driving Prevention Month. We hope you make responsible driving decisions during December and throughout the year. Here, we discuss impaired driving and strategies to help everyone get home safely.
We hope the below information helps you stay safe on the road. If an impaired driver injures you in a Las Vegas area car accident, contact an experienced personal injury lawyer. A personal injury lawyer will help to protect your rights and ensure you receive maximum compensation.
The Dangers of Impaired Driving
You can’t safely operate a motor vehicle if you are impaired. Many substances can impair your ability to safely drive including the following:
- Alcohol
- Marijuana
- Illegal drugs
- Some over-the-counter and prescription drugs
In Nevada, impaired driving is the leading cause of motor vehicle crashes, injuries, and fatalities. The dangers of impaired driving do not stop at our state lines. Impaired driving is a dangerous and deadly problem across the country. Consider the following data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on drunk driving and drug-impaired driving:
- Every day, about 32 people in the United States die in drunk-driving crashes—that’s one person every 45 minutes.
- In 2020, 11,654 people died in drunk driving crashes deaths. That was a 14 percent increase from 2019.
- A majority of drivers (56 percent) involved in serious injury and fatal crashes tested positive for at least one drug.
If you are injured by an impaired driver, you should contact an experienced personal injury lawyer. The law firm of Anthem Injury Lawyers has a dedicated team of Las Vegas lawyers and staff ready to help you. Contact Anthem Injury Lawyers today at (702) 857-6000 to schedule a free consultation.
For a free legal consultation, call (702) 857-6000
Nevada’s Impaired Driving Laws
Each state has its own impaired driving laws. Nevada has impaired driving laws for both alcohol and prohibited substances. Nevada Revised Statute 484C.105 defines “under the influence” as the follows:
- Impaired to a degree that renders a person incapable of safely driving or exercising actual physical control of a vehicle
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.
Drivers under 21 years of age are held to an even stricter standard. Nevada Revised Statute 483.462 makes it illegal for drivers under 21 years of age to drive in Nevada with a BAC of .02 or higher.
Prohibited Substances
In Nevada, it is unlawful to drive under the influence of prohibited substances, including marijuana. Under Nevada law, prohibited substances include the following:
- Amphetamine
- Cocaine
- Cocaine metabolite
- Heroin
- Heroin metabolite
- Lysergic acid diethylamide
- Methamphetamine
- Phencyclidine
- Marijuana
- Marijuana metabolite
If an impaired driver injures you, seek medical help immediately. Once you receive proper medical treatment, 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. Our law office is in Henderson, Nevada and we work with clients all over Las Vegas. Contact us today at (702) 857-6000 to make an appointment for a free consultation.
Strategies To Prevent Impaired Driving
Impaired driving is preventable. Drivers are responsible for the choices that they make before and when they are behind the wheel. Below are some strategies to prevent impaired driving.
Talk to Your Friends and Family
Talk to your friends and family about the dangers of impaired driving. December is often a time when friends and family get together and consume alcohol.
When you are discussing impaired driving, remember to talk to your kids, especially if they are learning to drive. Remind your young drivers that underage drinking is illegal and that underage drinking and driving is dangerous and can be deadly. One in four car crashes with teens involve an underage drunk driver.
You should also talk to your kids about what to do if they suspect that a driver has been drinking alcohol. Your kids should never get in a car with someone who has been drinking.
Plan Ahead
If you are going to go out, plan ahead so that you don’t drive impaired. Consider the following options when you are making plans to not drive impaired:
- Stay at your location. If you are at a safe place, ask if you can stay the night. Make plans to do this ahead of time.
- Go out with a designated driver. A designated driver is someone who stays sober to drive others home. Make sure your designated driver is someone you can trust.
- Use a rideshare or car service. Rideshares or other car services are available in most cities. You can plan ahead to use a rideshare by downloading a rideshare app before you go out and saving important addresses. Make sure your phone is charged so that you can use it when it is time to go home. Remember to wait for your rideshare in a safe location and to confirm your rideshare before getting in the vehicle.
- Use public transportation. Depending on where you live, you may be able to use buses, subways, or rail systems to safely get home. Make sure that you make safe pedestrian choices when getting to and from the public transportation.
- Walk home. If you are within safe walking distance (such as a neighbor’s house) and live in a safe walking area, plan on walking home. Try to wear bright and reflective clothing and walk with a trusted friend or family member for added safety.
Recognize the Signs of Impaired Driving
If you think someone may be driving drunk or drugged, contact local law enforcement. Your actions could help save someone’s life.
According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), the following are signs that someone may be driving while 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 (e.g. sudden stop or delayed start)
- 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 an impaired driver injures you, contact Anthem Injury Lawyers. Based in Henderson, Nevada, we work with clients all over the Las Vegas area. We provide the level of expertise and knowledge you need to win your Las Vegas car accident case. Contact us today at (702) 857-6000 to make an appointment for a free consultation.
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EXPERIENCED LAS VEGAS PERSONAL INJURY LAWYERS
We hope you stay safe on the roads during National Impaired Driving Prevention Month. If an impaired driver injures you in a Las Vegas area car accident, you should speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer. Some people wonder why they need a personal injury lawyer to help them. A personal injury lawyer will work aggressively to protect your rights and help you receive maximum compensation for your injuries.
Your choice of an accident lawyer is one of the most consequential decisions you will ever make. It’s important to select a Las Vegas attorney that can put you in the best position to win your case. Contact Anthem Injury Lawyers today at (702) 857-6000 to make an appointment for a free consultation.
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