Every year, thousands of people are negatively impacted by drunk drivers in New York. As a result, the media has been focused on the dangers of drinking and driving and the devastating car accidents caused by drunk drivers. It appears that young people have been taking this information to heart. A recent study revealed that fewer teens and young adults are driving while under the influence of alcohol than ever before.
Self-reported drunk driving among 16- to 20-year-olds has dropped 59 percent from 2002 to 2014. For 21- to 25-year-olds, drunk driving has dropped by 38 percent over the same time period. Experts attribute this to the fact that high school students are drinking less in general. While driving under the influence of alcohol and marijuana has also decreased significantly, 39 percent in both age groups, driving under the influence of marijuana alone saw less of a decrease.
Despite these improvements, motor vehicle accidents continue to be the number one cause of death among young people ages 16 to 25. Researchers are encouraged by the progress being made, but are well aware that there is still a long way to go.
Car accidents can leave families in shambles and young victims struggling to recover from their injuries. Tragically, some families will know the immense pain that comes from losing a loved one in an accident. The emotional pain is not all they will have to endure. The medical expenses alone can be overwhelming, let alone the lost wages, rehabilitative costs, funeral costs and other expenses. Filing a lawsuit against the party responsible for your injuries may offer financial assistance to you and your family during this difficult time.
Source: HealthDay, “Fewer Teens, Young Adults Driving After Drinking, Smoking Pot: Report,” Steven Reinberg, Dec. 10, 2015
