Every day, roughly 28 people lose their lives to drunk drivers in the United States, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). That rounds out to be about one death every 52 minutes.
These kinds of statistics can feel nauseating to learn, especially when you consider that every single one of these deaths is entirely preventable. So, what can you do to help lower your risk of experiencing a drunk driving accident in New Mexico?
How to Help Decrease the Rate of Drunk Driving Accidents in Albuquerque, New Mexico
When it comes to reducing drunk crashes in New Mexico, it is always easiest to start with yourself. The best ways to prevent yourself from causing a drunk driving accident or being arrested for driving under the influence are to:
- Decide not to drink alcohol at a social event, especially if you are out alone
- Not get into a car with a driver who has been drinking
- Choose a designated driver
- Arrange for transportation ahead of time
- Never feel pressured to drink, and if you do, to drink responsibly
- Call a taxi or ridesharing service if you have been drinking
Even if driving while impaired does not result in a fatality, it can still result in severe injuries or serious legal consequences that could haunt a person for the rest of their life.
Help Prevent Other Drivers from Causing Drunk Driving Crashes in New Mexico
It is much easier to keep yourself from driving drunk than it is to prevent others from getting behind the wheel while under the influence. However, you may be able to prevent someone you know from driving while intoxicated by:
- Taking away their car keys. This may be difficult later in the night as they become increasingly more intoxicated, so try to gather keys from everyone as they arrive at your door.
- Offering a place for them to sleep for the night.
- Arranging another mode of transportation for them, such as purchasing them a bus or train ticket or calling them an Uber or a Lyft.
- Stalling to provide them time to sober up.
- Calling law enforcement. When all else fails, if you are unable to stop an intoxicated person from getting behind the wheel, report them to the local authorities.
If you need to have a conversation with a friend about getting home safely, try to pull them aside rather than confront them in front of others. Nobody likes to feel like they are being ganged up on, and conversations like these can feel embarrassing, especially when alcohol hinders their decision-making skills.
Partner with a Personal Injury Attorney for a Drunk Driving Accident in New Mexico
If you or someone you care about was injured or killed in a drunk driving crash in the Albuquerque area, you might be entitled to compensation for your damages under New Mexico state law. Attorney Paul M. Dominguez has defended numerous personal injury cases involving a drunk driver in New Mexico. He will do everything he can to achieve a favorable result in your case.
Dominguez Law fights for the rights of drunk driving victims all over New Mexico and will fight tirelessly to recover the maximum compensation allowable for your injuries. Call us today at (505) 317-9837 or send us a completed contact form for a free evaluation of your motor vehicle accident case.