Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Don’t Let the Holidays Be Ruined By Drinking and Driving, Kentucky Lawyer Says

Lexington, KY Attorney Frank Jenkins notes that 200 people died in KY alcohol-related wrecks in 2008.

Lexington, KY (PRWEB) December 23, 2009 -- The holidays are a time to be especially alert for drunk drivers because alcohol-related accidents traditionally go up this time of year, a Kentucky personal injury attorney says.

Frank M. Jenkins III
Frank M. Jenkins III
“There are lots of parties and festive occasions when alcohol is served during the holidays,” says Frank M. Jenkins III, founder of Frank Jenkins Law Office, based in Lexington, KY. “But there is no season when drinking and driving is a good idea. It’s illegal and too often, it’s deadly.”
There is no season when drinking and driving is a good idea. It’s illegal and too often, it’s deadly.
A new federal traffic safety report shows that 200 people died in alcohol-related accidents in Kentucky in 2008. That is a 4.5 percent decline from 2007’s total of 212 alcohol-related fatalities. Kentucky was among 40 states that saw declines in alcohol-related traffic accidents in 2008, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report. Still Kentucky’s alcohol-impaired driving fatality rate of .42 fatalities per 100 million miles traveled in 2008 was slightly above the national average.

“It’s encouraging that the number of alcohol-related deaths is down overall,” Jenkins says. “Still, 200 people lost their lives on Kentucky highways last year in wrecks involving alcohol, and that’s tragic.”

A disproportionate number of alcohol-related fatal crashes occur during the holidays, a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration study suggests. The 2007 NHTSA study, which analyzed five years of national traffic data, found that the number of alcohol-related fatalities on the nation’s highways averaged 45 deaths per day during the Christmas period and 54 deaths per day during the New Year’s holiday, compared to 36 deaths per day the rest of the year.

Alcohol-related deaths have been declining nationwide since 1982 due to tougher laws and stepped-up police enforcement. All 50 states have enacted laws making it illegal to drive with a blood alcohol level of .08 or higher.

“Enjoy a safe holiday with family and friends,” Jenkins says. “If you choose to drink, designate a sober driver or call a cab. It could save a life.”

About Frank Jenkins Law Office:
The Frank Jenkins Law Office, based in Lexington, Kentucky, has represented injured people across Kentucky for almost 20 years. The law firm focuses on a variety of personal injury cases including automobile and motorcycle accidents, tractor-trailer collisions, wrongful death cases, dangerous drugs, workplace accidents, workers’ compensation and medical malpractice.

Frank Jenkins was voted the people’s Favorite Attorney in the Reader’s Choice 2009 Lexington Herald Leader poll. To contact Frank Jenkins Law Firm, call 1-800 CAR WRECK or use the firm's online form.

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Posted by prolink at 12:45 AM

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