In the colonial period of the United States, establishments served alcohol by a unit of liquid measurement called the dram. These establishments were called dram shops. Fast forward to the present day and many states have statutes that are referred to as “dram shop laws.” These laws can hold an establishment that serves or sells…
According to Safer-America.com, someone is injured by a drunk driver every 2 minutes, and someone dies due to a drunk driver every 50 minutes. Drunk driving is extremely dangerous to you and to the public. Despite the harsh treatment given to people convicted of DUI and the social stigma of driving drunk, people still do it.
On this page, we curate some of these tragic stories from Florida news sources. All sources are cited in the original articles. But what can you do about it?
First, if you do like to drink alcohol then you must take responsibility for your state. Do not allow yourself to drive when drunk for any reason. If you are a social drinker, take a taxi, ride-share, or carpool with a sober friend so you can get home safely. Leave the car at home!
If you like to drink at home, give your keys to someone sober so you are not tempted to drive. Never drink alone at home; you could lose your judgment and get behind the wheel. You could save your life.
Sometimes people end up over the limit because a restaurant or bar served a drink that was too strong for you. If you cannot wait to sober up, ask the staff to call you a taxi. These establishments have a duty to protect their patrons. A bar that negligently lets a drunk person get behind the wheel can be held liable in some cases.
The best option? Don’t drink at all. Acting as a designated driver can help you save the life of your friends and earns you the respect of the community. Some bars and restaurants may also give you complimentary drinks in thanks. Non-alcoholic, of course.
Trooper Injured In Crash With Alleged DUI Driver On I-95
Police officers often spend more time driving than doing any other task. Unfortunately, this gets only a small amount of time at basic academy training. It also rarely comes around during on the job training. Highway patrol officers and state police officers tend to get excellent training. When it comes to fatalities, of 134 line-of-duty…
Women Sentenced to 9 Years After Pleading Guilty to DUI Manslaughter
Florida takes every DUI offense seriously, but the crime of DUI manslaughter is usually taken more seriously. DUI manslaughter is loosely defined as killing someone in an auto accident while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Penalties include up to fifteen years in prison, up to fifteen years on probation, up to $10,000 in…
Man Arrested After Leaving the Scene of an Accident to Stash Drugs
Florida has laws regarding what a driver must do following an accident. One of those laws requires a person to remain at the scene of the accident until the police arrive. Leaving the scene of an accident that involves only property damage can be charged as misdemeanor hit-and-run. If the accident involves injuries, then leaving…
Suspected DUI Driver Crashes Car And Seriously Injures Child
Florida rate of alcohol-related car accidents is higher than the national average. The implied consent laws require drivers to submit to either blood, urine, or breath testing if a police officer suspects a DUI. Those injured in a DUI accident in Florida may seek out punitive damages against the driver. This is thanks to a…
Man Who Fled the County in 2003 Arrested and Brought Back to Miami
Florida courts take DUI manslaughter very seriously. The Florida legislature approved a 4-year-minimum “mandatory” sentence on all such charges. DUI manslaughter is a second-degree felony in Florida with the punishment for conviction being up to 15-years in Florida’s prison system. In addition to jail time, there is a mandatory license suspension for life. In many…
Deadly Crash Revealed to be Caused By DUI
In Florida, if an accident results from a person’s decision to drive while intoxicated, the justice system allows for two different types of compensation. An injured party may be entitled to both compensatory and punitive damages. Compensatory damages are intended to cover specific losses, including medical expenses, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, pain and…
Teen Arrested For a Marijuana Charge Following Fatal Crash
Although Florida has taken steps towards legalizing medical marijuana, it is still illegal to drive while under its influence. If caught, a person can face a driving under the influence charge, even if they have been legal prescription. Unfortunately, it can be difficult determining when a person last smoked cannabis and whether they are still…
Man Stops Vehicle in The Middle of the Highway With Fatal Results
Florida has some of the toughest DUI penalties in the nation. A first time DUI comes with the penalties of a fine that is not less than $500 nor more than $1,000. If a person’s blood-alcohol level is more than 0.15, the fine is increased to $1,000 to $2,000. Imprisonment can range from 8 hours…
19 Year Old Facing DUI Manslaughter Charges After Vehicle Rolls Over and Kills Passenger
Fatal car accidents are one of the top causes of deaths for teenagers in the United States. The CDC released records that indicate 6 teens die in automobile crashes every day. Inexperience is one of the major factors leading to these crashes, as young teens with fewer than two years of driving experience are not…