3 Strategies & Campaigns That Reduce Drunk Driving in Texas

Drunk driving is a serious problem around the nation, claiming 28 lives daily throughout the United States. As a result, every state implements various strategies for reducing the number of impaired motorists on their roads.

According to CBS News, Texas ranks 11th on the list of states with the highest rates of drinking and driving. Over the years, local policymakers have implemented campaigns to illustrate both the dangers and legal consequences of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol in an attempt to dissuade residents from doing so.

Although these campaigns may deter some people from getting behind the wheel while impaired, they cannot reach everyone. As a result, motorists across the state are always at risk of getting into a drunk driving collision.

If you were hurt in an accident with an impaired motorist, you may be eligible for compensation to cover the damages you have incurred. Contact the Cooper Law Firm to discuss the circumstances of the crash with a Paris personal injury lawyer and determine the best way to proceed.

Attorney N. Eric Cooper helps clients throughout east Texas. Call 903-297-0037 to schedule a free case evaluation.

Read on to learn what kinds of strategies and statewide campaigns serve to reduce the number of drunk drivers on Texas roads:

1. “DWI Not So Fun House”

The Texas Department of Transportation’s “DWI Not So Fun House” is an interactive carnival-style trailer that aims to educate the public on the effects of alcohol on the body and how those effects can inhibit driving ability. TxDOT often takes this exhibit on the road in the summertime and presents it at outdoor events all over the state.

Within the exhibit, participants can experience the effects of alcohol through various simulations. For example, they can don ”drunk goggles” that blur vision before trying to complete simple tasks designed to test their motor skills.

2. School Programs

When attempting to change a widespread social issue like drunk driving, the answer often lies in reaching future generations. For this reason, many states conduct school-based educational programs that aim to teach children about the dangers of drinking and driver, as well as those of getting into a vehicle with an impaired motorist.

3. Administrative License Revocation Laws

In addition to the criminal penalties that result from a DWI conviction, offenders also face an administrative license revocation. Under this civil proceeding, motorists who refuse or fail a chemical test face a license suspension of between 90 days and two years. Individuals who possess a commercial license can also expect a one-year disqualification.

Although the above strategies and campaigns serve to keep some impaired individuals off the road, they are not foolproof. If you sustained injuries in a motor vehicle collision with a drunk driver, contact the Cooper Law Firm.

Attorney N. Eric Cooper is a proud member of the Texas Trial Lawyers Association and the Gregg County Bar Association. Call 903-297-0037 to schedule a free consultation with an accident attorney in Paris. If you want to learn more about drunk driving accident claims in Texas, visit USAttorneys.com.