April kicks off Alcohol Awareness Month in 2020.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about one-in-three traffic deaths in the United States involve a drunk driver. Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (MADD) reports more than 300,00 incidents of drinking and driving a year, resulting in one preventable death every 52 minutes across the United States. Additionally, 290,000 people are injured by impaired drivers each year, one every two minutes. Nationally on average, two out of three people will be impacted by drunk driving in their lifetime.
What is so startling about these statistics is that these deaths and injuries are entirely preventable, making alcohol-related deaths the third leading preventable cause of death in the United States!
Alcohol Awareness Month in 2020
During the current coronavirus pandemic, there are fewer cars on the road as a result of self-isolation and stay-at-home orders, but post-pandemic return to the roads could include a spike in drunk driving accidents, as drinking is on the rise. According to market research firm Nielsen, alcoholic beverage sales are up 55% as of the week of March 15-22 across the country. Spirit sales are up, too, and have soared to 75%, while beer has seen a 66% jump and wine has spiked to 42% when compared to this time last year.
Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rich & Purtz is community champions for reducing the risk of injuries from drunk drivers. For three years, the firm has been a presenting sponsor for Mothers Against Drunk Driving’s Walk Like MADD 5K walk and run that raises money to ensure no one in our community suffers from the impacts of impaired drivers.
Pending possible changes caused by the coronavirus, at this time this year’s Walk Like MADD event is planned Sept. 26, 2020 at Jet Blue Park. For information on supporting click here.
Our attorneys have also been active in supporting area multi-jurisdiction DUI checkpoints carried out by law enforcement agencies in Lee and Charlotte County and sponsored by MADD Southwest Florida.
Sponsoring the briefing dinner before checkpoints demonstrates to the officers that the law firm and the community supports their dedication to make our roads safer for all residents and visitors.
If you or someone you know has suffered injuries due to a drunk driver accident, it is important to seek legal help. The attorneys at Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice & Purtz have over five decades of experience with personal injury cases. We provide free consultation to discuss your case and determine what can be done to protect your rights. Call us today to set up your virtual appointment as our offices are currently closed to visitors.
