In these final weeks of summer, Labor Day weekend presents one last opportunity for fun under the sun. Though we tend to associate this holiday with celebration and family, it can, unfortunately, have danger associated with it. Amid all the cooking, beachside partying, and festivities, people often drink alcoholic beverages to the point that sometimes results in tragedy. At Liever, Hyman & Potter, PC, we take seriously the risks associated with the Labor Day holiday, recognizing the very real danger of drinking and driving. Alongside state and local law enforcement, we are making an effort to inform, and warn the community about the dangers of drinking and driving.
As all drivers should know, wherever you travel within the United States, it is illegal to drive a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol. The law is different in each state; however, “Driving under the influence” with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or higher is illegal in all states. Nonetheless, a third of all deaths by motor vehicles are directly caused by drunk drivers. Just two years ago, in 2015, 10,265 people were killed as a result of drunk driving. Of those victims killed, 181 were kids age 14 or younger. (Source: https://www.nhtsa.gov/drunk-driving/drive-sober-or-get-pulled-over).
The lawyers at Liever, Hyman & Potter, PC have represented the victims of motor vehicle accidents for decades. The firm is all too familiar with the consequences resulting from drinking while intoxicated. During the Labor Day weekend, law enforcement will be out in force, patrolling roads and highways with extra vigilance. When caught, drunk drivers are faced with arrest, as well as potentially thousands of dollars in fines, insurance spikes, and other expenses. Be smart and be safe and avoid the shame, guilt, and humiliation of harming yourself, a friend, a family member or another person due to driving under the influence of alcohol.
Today, there’s simply no excuse for driving drunk. With a majority of the population owning a smartphone, a sober driver is always a call or a swipe away. As per a campaign to protect against drunk driving, the NHTSA has released an app for Android and Apple smartphones. Utilizing this tech, anyone can contact a local cab company, or broadcast where they are to friends and family.
The lawyers at Liever, Hyman & Potter, P.C., are concerned for the safety of motor vehicle drivers and passengers driving on the roads and highways in Berks County and Schuylkill County, and serve auto, truck and motorcycle accident victims and their families in Reading, PA, Pottsville, PA, and throughout Eastern and Central Pennsylvania, including Philadelphia.
From the desk of Adam K. Levin, Esquire.