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Passengers in cars may often face charges in North Carolina based upon allegations arising during a traffic stop. We have previously reported stories involving allegations of aiding and abetting charges under our state’s laws.

Drivers and passengers alike involved in a traffic stop may face other types of allegations. Generally, state criminal charges vary from state to state, but passengers can be charged with crimes during a traffic stop–depending upon the circumstances.

A recent celebrity story out of Georgia has made national news involving a passenger who is accused of disorderly conduct. Police claim that Reese Witherspoon acted out as officers investigated her husband for an alleged drunk driving offense. Law enforcement conducted a traffic stop early Friday, and ultimately took Jim Toth and his wife, Reese Witherspoon, into custody on criminal charges.

Authorities claim that Ms. Witherspoon refused to abide by the commands of law enforcement to remain in the car as officers investigated her husband on driving under the influence charges. Media has made much ado about statement’s Ms. Witherspoon made during the traffic stop, including allegations that she asked the officer if he knew her name. Police claim that the actress crossed the line in dealing with law enforcement, apparently by getting out of her vehicle and voicing her opinions during the police investigation.

Ultimately, Ms. Witherspoon was charged with disorderly conduct. Her husband was arrested on suspicion of DUI.

Ms. Witherspoon reportedly has publicly apologized for her alleged performance that night. The husband and wife had enjoyed dinner together prior to the traffic stop. Each will face separate charges in court.

Source: Huffington Post, “Reese Witherspoon Apologizes For Her Behavior: Actress ‘Deeply Embarrassed’ After Arrest,” Jonathan Drew, April 22, 2013

Greenville DUI Attorney Blog | North Carolina Underage Drinking Lawyer | Pitt County First DUI Law Firm

The morning school run is a high-risk time for Davie car accidents. With plenty of people on the road trying to get to school and then to work, there’s often congestion, frayed tempers, and therefore a high risk of Davie traffic accidents. To reduce your risk of accidents during this time of morning, make sure that you:

1) Talk to your child about pedestrian safety and distracted walking. If your child walks to school, you can help your child prevent a Davie pedestrian accident by teaching your child to stay safe. Walk the route to school with your child, pointing out any possible dangers and reviewing the safety tips that are relevant for the walk. In many cases, children like listening to music or texting while they walk. Make sure that your child does not do this, as distracted walking can cause your child walk out into traffic.

2) Give yourself plenty of time if you are dropping your child off at school. If you are driving your child to school, you can help prevent Davie traffic accidents by giving yourself additional time. While this may mean getting up earlier, it can also help prevent the speeding and aggressive driving that are all too common during the school rush.

3) Be alert for others – including buses, pedestrians, and kids on bikes – sharing the road, especially close to the school.

4) Use good communication skills. When dropping your child off at school, make sure that you make eye contact with pedestrians, bicyclists, and other motorists to ensure that you are visible and that you are communicating well with others who share the road with you.

5) Stay focused. While texting and driving is not illegal in Florida, any form of distracted driving can be extremely dangerous to you and your child. Distracted driving leads to many Davie truck accidents and traffic accidents each year, so put your mobile devices away and focus fully on the drive to school rather than on distractions.

6) Follow speed limits. Speeding significantly increases your risk of a collision.

7) Drop your child off in a safe zone. Your child is at risk if you drop them off where there is a high traffic volume and fewer pedestrian areas. If your school has a drop off zone that allows you to deposit your child right at a pedestrian area, this is often the safest possibility. If this is not an option, drop your child off in an area with good pedestrian walkways, easy access to the school, and low traffic. If it is difficult to find such an area, encourage your child’s school to create a safe drop-off zone.

Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog

The Fourth of July travel period is supposed to be a time of fun and family. Each year, however, Florida families are devastated as a result of Miami car accidents during this time of year. Unfortunately, the holiday period usually coincides with an increase in car accidents during most years. While police presence on city streets is aimed at reducing the risk of accidents, there are still many things that motorists can do to help prevent a Miami traffic accident at this time of year:

1) Give yourself extra time to get to your destination. Many Miami car accidents during the holiday weekend occur because travelers are heading to see family and friends, creating congestion and frayed tempers. Giving yourself extra time helps reduce the stress as well as the risk of a car crash.

2) Avoid driving when tired or upset. Strong emotions are a major distraction and driving when tired can mean that you lose focus or even fall asleep at the wheel. It is especially important to avoid driving fatigued or angry at this time of year, since the sun and hot weather can exacerbate the fatigue and irritability.

3) Put away distractions when you get in the car. Even though there are no texting bans in Florida, there is quite a bit of scientific research to show that any type of distraction – whether in the form of food, passengers, or mobile devices – can increase your risk of being in a serious car collision. Whenever you drive distracted you take your mind and eyes off the road for seconds at a time – more than enough time to cause a Miami bicycle accident or other type of traffic accident.

4) Stay cool in the car and bring provisions. Heat exhaustion, sunburn, and heat stroke can be very real problems if you are stuck in Miami traffic for hours this holiday weekend. Pack a cool drink and wear sunscreen and a hat to keep yourself from overheating. Roll down your windows and use your air conditioner to keep yourself cool as you drive.

5) Have a plan to avoid drunk driving. Miami drunk driving accidents are a serious concern during the holiday weekend. You can avoid this type of accident by having a plan for getting home safely. Even if you plan on not drinking, have a plan in place – just in case. Better yet, leave your car at home and use public transportation to get to and from parties where you know you may be drinking.

6) Have a plan to prevent others from driving drunk. If you are hosting Fourth of July celebrations, make sure that you have options to get your guests home. You may arrange for a designated driver and car or have guest beds set up, for example.

7) Find out what options exist for holiday celebrations in your area – and take advantage of them. Most communities have alcohol-free festivities, free public transportation, and other options for revelers. In many cases, these options can help you avoid drunk driving.

Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), fatalities from impaired or drunk driving accidents are higher over the Christmas and New Year’s holidays when compared to the fatalities occurring on the other days in December.

Drunk driving statistics include any vehicle operator with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .01 and up. In 2009, 32% of total traffic fatalities for the year involved drivers with a BAC of .08 and higher. It is important to understand that just because a person may in fact be well below the.08 legal limit, their judgment and reflexes are impaired enough to cause drunk driving accidents and fatal crashes. In fact, drivers with a BAC level of .01-.07 cause an average of over 1,900 fatal crashes nationally. They are given the term ‘alcohol-impaired’ to more accurately reflect their condition.

The winter holidays are an especially dangerous time. Combine drinking at holiday celebrations with, for many, unforgiving winter road conditions, and you’ve got a deadly recipe. As drunk driving statistics show, it doesn’t take much alcohol to create an alcohol-impaired driver. Alcohol-impaired drivers cause an average of 54 fatal drunk driving accidents per day over the New Year’s holiday period alone. That’s 66% higher than the daily number for the rest of the year. Over the Christmas holiday, they cause 45 fatalities per day. A BAC of 1.7 was the most common recorded BAC level in drunk driving accidents resulting in fatality.

Many parents don’t think twice about driving the family home from a holiday celebration after having a couple of drinks. However, in 2009, a total of 181 children age 14 and younger were killed in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes. Out of those 181 deaths, 92 (51%) were occupants of a vehicle with a driver who had a BAC level of .08 or higher.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood kicked off the annual “Drunk Driving. Over The Limit. Under Arrest” winter holiday crackdown involving thousands of law enforcement agencies across the nation. Secretary LaHood also highlighted the new ” No Refusal strategy that a number of states are employing to put a stop to drunk driving.

One goal behind the policy is to improve deterrence, meaning less drunk drivers on the road, and minimize repeat offenders. According to the NHTSA drunk driving statistics, 8% of drivers with a BAC level of .08 or above had prior DWI convictions.

Through the “No Refusal” strategy, law enforcement officers are able to quickly obtain warrants from “on call” judges in order to take blood samples from suspected drunk drivers who refuse a breathalyzer test. According to NHTSA, a large number of people refuse the breathalyzer test. After adopting the “No Refusal” programs, many states have reported more guilty pleas, fewer trials, and more drunk driving convictions.

In a press event in Washington DC on Dec. 13, 2010, Administrator David Strickland told the audience that it’s important to note that the No Refusals policy “guarantees a suspect’s due process rights. Test specimens are preserved for independent verification.”

Strickland also added, “If you are going to partake of some Holiday cheer with friends and family this season and you don’t want to end up in jail, plan ahead and designate a sober driver.”

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Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Drunk-Driving-Statistics-for-Drunk-Driving-Accidents-During-the-Holidays&id=5606565

Drunk Driving Lawyer – DUI Lawyers DWI Attorneys help

It’s no secret that Florida is a major tourist destination and now that the school season is winding down, many people from all across the country and from around the world are making plans to visit the state for their vacations. Tourists bring important cash into the economy, but they can also mean a greater risk of Florida car accidents because:

1) Not all tourists are familiar with Florida roads. Tourists may drive more slowly, back up, and need to turn around as they look for their hotels or destinations. The roads and road signs – as well as the hazards – which are familiar to local Floridians are not familiar to those who have never driven on Florida roads before. Anticipating other cars and driving defensively is therefore important for all drivers.

2) More tourists mean more traffic. More people pouring into Florida and heading on the roads towards major attractions means more traffic – and traffic can mean more frayed tempers as well as a greater risk of car accidents. When driving during the tourist season, make sure to give yourself plenty of time to get to your destination and give yourself plenty of space on the road.

3) More tourists mean more bicyclists and pedestrians. Many visitors enjoy exploring Florida’s natural beauty on foot. This can mean more bicyclists and more pedestrians sharing the roadways with cars, which in turn can lead to more Florida bicycle accidents and pedestrian accidents. It is important to be aware of pedestrians and bicyclists – especially those who may not be familiar with local roads.

To drive safely as we share the state with visitors, be sure to put away and distractions before you get in your car and drive defensively. Courteous driving will keep you and your family safer and will also encourage visitors to come back to the state for their next vacation.

Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog

Law enforcement was out in full force last week during a statewide St. Patrick’s Day “Booze it and Lose it” campaign. The “Booze it and Lose It” campaign ran between March, 11 and 17. According to Department of Transportation statistics more than 1000 North Carolina DWI citations were issued. The North Carolina DOT says that state and local law enforcement agencies conducted 662 sobriety checkpoints during the campaign and utilized a total of 1956 saturation patrols across the state.

In addition to the 1,013 DWI cases, law enforcement across North Carolina issued 32,579 traffic and criminal citations during the stepped-up enforcement campaign. The week long campaign was part of the Governor’s Highway Safety Program campaign.

In Pitt County, law enforcement set up a total of four checkpoints during the campaign and used 28 saturation patrols. Pitt County law enforcement brought a total of 15 DWI related charges. Thirteen of the cases were brought against people who are age 21 or over. Two of the cases that arose during the “Booze it or Lose it” campaign in Pitt County were brought against drivers under the age of 21.

An underage DWI in North Carolina can be brought based upon any evidence of alcohol. An adult DWI requires either evidence of impairment or an alcohol content measurement of .08 or greater. Any measurable amount of alcohol in a driver under age 21 is sufficient for law enforcement to bring an underage DWI charge in the state.

North Carolina’s most populous counties saw the highest number of DWI related charges issued during the week. Mecklenburg County topped the list with 124 DWI charges filed.

Source: WECT, “Booze it & Lose it campaign yields more than 1,000 DWI citations,” 24 Mar 2011

Greenville DUI Attorney Blog | North Carolina Underage Drinking Lawyer | Pitt County First DUI Law Firm

If you’re planning on driving in order to get to a family holiday event, you may well have to leave Florida and enter states where winter driving has a whole new meaning. Although in many cases Florida drivers do not need to worry about the dangers of winter driving – dangers which can include driving snow, snow drifts, and icy roads — once Florida drivers leave the state to visit family for the holidays, they may be in more danger than usual. Since Florida drivers are often unused to winter driving conditions, they may be at a higher risk of accidents when driving in unfamiliar, winter conditions. There are some ways to prevent this, however, if you will be traveling out of state for the holidays:

1) Make sure your car is ready for your destination. You may not need snow tires at home to prevent a Florida pedestrian accident or car accident. However, if you are driving to a state where winter conditions are probable or likely, get winter snow tires. If you are likely to be driving in heavy snow or is rural areas, look for studded tires, which have small spikes which grip icy roads and give you more control of your car.

2) Consider alternate forms of travel. If you have no experience driving in the snow, it may be easier and less expensive to fly, take a train, or take some other form of transportation to your holiday destination. Even letting someone experienced in winter driving can help.

3) Take a course in winter driving. A course in winter driving is likely readily available through a local driver’s education school. The tips you learn can help you prevent a Florida car accident and will prepare you for winter roads in other states as well.

4) Make sure you understand what conditions you will face. Use weather stations and Internet weather information from the government to determine what conditions you are likely to face. Knowing whether you are likely to face icy roads, snows, or hail can help you plan ahead.

5) Stay alert of weather condition changes and keep your plans flexible. If you are driving to a holiday destination in a wintry state, check weather forecasts before your departure. If there is any snow, you will need to slow down, so be sure to give yourself plenty of time to arrive safely. If the weather is severe, stay flexible in your plans and find another way of arriving safe. In a snowstorm, it will be much safer to leave your car at home and use a train or plane to get to your destination, especially if you have limited winter driving experience.

Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog

A severe form of addiction like heroin addiction needs an equally strict measure of treatment.
Alcohol Abuse Center Information

The Century Council is proud to be involved with two exciting events during National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week. Today we will attend the Department of Education’s National Meeting on Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse and Violence Prevention in Higher Education.

We will observe the Ad Council’s presentation, Crafting Communications Strategies for College Binge Drinking Prevention Highlights from Recent Qualitative and Quantitative Research. This new research covers binge drinking behaviors of college drinkers and how communication campaigns might be used to reduce overconsumption of alcohol by students.

Commissioned by The Century Council, under contract with the Ad Council, the research was conducted by the independent consulting firm Egg Strategy. Check out the research on our College Binge Drinking page (PowerPoint or PDF).

During the week, we’re also hosting an educational briefing for Congressional Staff to educate attendees on this important topic and new research.

Also at the conference, Dr. David Anderson and Dr. Hugh Gusterson, of George Mason University will present the Understanding Teen Drinking Cultures in America study which was conducted by GMU and funded by The Century Council.  This national research project provides insights about teens’ choices regarding alcohol use and non-use. 

For more information on this study, please visit: http://teenalcoholcultures.gmu.edu.

Century Council Blog

Everyone loves a Memorial Day weekend party, but a new study suggests that some kids are having more holiday ‘fun’ than they should.

Underage-drinking related visits to hospital emergency rooms are 11 percent higher on the typical Memorial Day weekend than on normal days, according to a new study (PDF) from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Also, ER visits for problems associated with combined alcohol and other drug use by those under age 21 are 27 percent higher over the holiday weekend.

Youth alcohol-related admissions over the three-day weekend average 577 daily, compared to 519 on a typical day. Admissions for combined use of alcohol and other drugs average 199 visits, compared to 156 normally.

The data are from SAMHSA’s Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN).

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Mothers Against Drunk Driving (Orange County)