To reduce the number of DWI accidents young drivers need to learn they can’t safely drink and drive says Philadelphia accident lawyer Rand Spear.
Drunk drivers cause a disproportionate number of injuries and deaths due to car accidents. Although alcohol-related crashes accounted for about 9% of the total vehicle crashes in 2014 they caused 20% of vehicle accident fatalities. Philadelphia accident lawyer Rand Spear says that these avoidable, preventable accidents injure people every day. He discusses the topic in a podcast available on YouTube.
“About 75% of drunk drivers were male and the age group between 21 and 30 had the highest percentage of drinking drivers. That’s where we really need to focus our attention and energy to try and get them to understand that it’s just not possible to drink and drive safely. At that age we think we’re invincible, which just isn’t the case,” accident attorney Spear says
In 2014 there were 333 alcohol related crash fatalities in Pennsylvania; most of them were in the car being driven by the drunk or drinking driver. Statistically there are about 29 alcohol-related crashes every day, injuring on average twenty people.

“Most of the accidents occur after dark and on the weekends. That’s really when you know people are taking off from work, they want to relax and enjoy themselves. Unfortunately after they consume alcohol they get behind the wheel and that’s just a recipe for disaster. It’s just not safe to do that,” attorney Spear says.
He says that education is the first step to try to reduce the number of alcohol related accidents. “Even if you have a child who’s in their twenties; I have a child who is 24 years old and I’m always having conversations at the kitchen table talking about their friends, who’s drinking, who’s driving. They can call me at any time day or night no questions asked. I’m going to go pick them up and bring them home,” Spear says.
“You need to come up with a plan if you have too much to drink or if you have anything to drink, I should say,” Spear says. Some possible solutions are alternate means of transportation or someone agrees not to drink and drive others home.

“I tell my son if you have any alcohol whatsoever I just don’t want you to get behind the wheel of a car. Equally as important is that I don’t want him to get in the car with someone who he knows has consumed alcohol because that’s just as dangerous. The fatalities we find are the people who are in the car of the person who’s consumed too much alcohol.”
“You have to protect your loved ones. You can’t expect they’re going to go out get intoxicated and then make the right decision how they’re going to get home. The conversation needs to be held before the first drink is consumed,” Spear says.

If you or a family member are injured by an intoxicated driver in Pennsylvania or New Jersey, contact Philadelphia accident lawyer Rand Spear today at 888-373-4LAW or by form for a free consultation. You can discuss what happened, how the law may apply and your best options for obtaining compensation for your injuries.
Call or text (215) 985-2424 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form