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A routine traffic stop for alleged traffic violations has led to criminal charges for two North Carolina men. Police in Clinton, North Carolina claim that a 20-year-old man was driving while impaired early Wednesday morning on Clinton’s Main Street. After law enforcement made contact with the driver and his 20-year-old passenger, both men ultimately were arrested on charges more serious than a minor traffic violation.

While the driver was arrested on suspicion of DWI, the passenger in the vehicle reportedly had six outstanding warrants against him. Authorities have also charged the passenger with a new criminal offense, alleging that the young man was in possession of roughly .12 grams of methamphetamine, which police say was discovered during the incident.

It is not clear from the media what evidence authorities are relying upon for the North Carolina DWI charges being sought against the 20-year-old driver. It should be noted that a person under the age of 21 can be charged with underage DUI based upon evidence of any amount of alcohol.

Similarly, a young driver can face DWI charges based upon the per se legal limit of 0.08 percent blood alcohol concentration under North Carolina law, or law enforcement’s testimony that a driver appeared to be impaired by alcohol or some other substance while driving.

Typically, the more common-law style of DWI prosecution may involve testimony related to driving conduct, the officer’s observations during a traffic stop and in field sobriety exercises. Chemical test results may also be involved in the more traditional style of DWI prosecution.

Source: Sampson Independent, “Traffic stop leads to drug arrest, DWI charge,” Sherry Matthews, Jan. 9, 2013

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

Many Homestead visitors and residents choose to buy passenger vans. Indeed, in recent years vans have become extremely popular. They offer more loading space for grocery trips, and they are very popular with families, as they provide added room for children and passengers. Unfortunately, passenger vans can also lead to increased risk of Homestead car accidents. Vans handle differently and have a higher center of gravity than most passenger vehicles, potentially making them riskier for rollovers and other problems. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there are several things that drivers can do to make their vans safer:

1) Gradually get accustomed to your passenger van. These vehicles are wider, higher, and longer than most passenger vehicles and handle very differently. You will rely on your mirrors more and have more blind spots than a driver with a sedan. It will take you longer to brake and more space to park or change lanes. This will take some time to get used to. According to the NHTSA, inexperienced drivers are more likely to be in a van accident. When you first get your van, give yourself plenty of time to get accustomed to the new vehicle before you go ahead and pack it with passengers or cargo. Take your van on frequent rides along less busy streets in order to familiarize yourself with the car. This will reduce your chance of being in a Homestead pedestrian accident or traffic accident.

2) Reduce your risk of rollovers. Vans have a higher center of gravity, making them more of a risk for Homestead rollover accidents. You can reduce your risk of rollovers by getting proper training for your passenger van, by driving without speeding, by avoiding distracted driving, and by loading your car carefully.

3) Maintain your passenger van correctly. Poorly maintained vans are more likely to be in a rollover. Take your can in for required tune-ups, especially if you notice any problems with the way your van handles.

4) Make sure you know who is driving your family in passenger vans. Passenger vans are often used by organizations. If your children are going on a camping trip or to a school event, for example, they may be riding in a passenger van. Ask questions and make sure that the driver in charge of the van has adequate experience with that type of vehicle.

5) Check your tires often. If you own a passenger van, make sure that the tires are properly aligned, not worn down, and properly inflated. Since vans tend to carry larger loads and more passengers than most passenger vehicles, they can place more stress on tires, putting you at risk of a Homestead tire blowout. Poorly maintained tires can also put you at a higher risk for skids, slides, and rollovers, so check your tires before every trip.

6) Don’t carry more items or passengers than your passenger van allows. Check the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating for your van and be sure to follow the guidelines. Overburdening your van makes it far more likely that you will be in an accident or that your tires will blowout. In addition to carrying less, make sure that every item in your car is properly secured. In the event of a Homestead car accident, any heavy items in your passenger van will become projectiles, increasing your risk of head injury, broken bones, and even fatal injuries.

7) Wear your seat belt. If you are in a Homestead truck accident or car accident, wearing your seatbelt can dramatically improve the chances that you will survive the crash. In all too many accidents, fatalities and permanent injuries occur when a passenger is ejected from the vehicle. Staying inside and secured with a safety belt is your best chance of survival. Even on short trips, buckle up before you start the vehicle.

Check safety issues with your van. Some vans have better safety records than others. If you’re in a Homestead car accident caused by a manufacturer defect, you may have a Homestead products liability case. However, it is better to know about such defects and problems before you make any purchasing decisions. Compare different bands and safety features to select the safest van you can. Once you have purchased your vehicle, keep up to date with recalls and safety notices so that you can get any issues resolved before they result in an accident.

Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog

Agents from the North Carolina Division of Alcohol Law Enforcement recently arrested two people in connection with a fatal car accident that happened in September. A 19-year-old Montgomery County man died in the Sept. 9 wreck. Police say the teenager was killed in a single-vehicle car accident. The teenager reportedly had a blood alcohol level of 0.23 percent at the time of the crash.

The legal limit in North Carolina for people 21 and older is 0.08 percent. For underage drivers North Carolina law has a zero-tolerance policy. The arrests, however, were made in connection to underage drinking-related charges.

ALE agents arrested a 48-year-old bartender who works at a Mount Gilead establishment. Authorities have charged the bartender with selling malt beverages to the teenager who was killed in the accident.

The second arrest involves a person who police claim was a passenger in the vehicle involved in the September crash. The 28-year-old Troy man was arrested on a string of North Carolina charges, including aiding and abetting underage possession of a malt beverage, aiding and abetting impaired driving and resisting arrest, among other charges.

ALE investigators claim the teenager who died in the accident had been playing pool and drinking alcohol at the Mount Gilead establishment prior to the fatal accident.

People charged with aiding and abetting DWI or underage DUI in North Carolina can face strict penalties if convicted of the charges. The law treats the aiding and abetting similarly to a DWI charge itself. It is important to consider speaking with an experienced Greenville DWI defense attorney when facing any charges related to alcohol offenses in North Carolina.

Source: WFMY News 2, “Julian Oldham, Jon Williamson Arrested In Death Of Teenage Driver,” Devetta Blount, Oct. 27, 2011

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

Florida injuries to minors and children are very common in state car accidents. Police officers and child safety advocates note that just any seat belt, however, will not help keep a child safe. The wrong seatbelt can actually cause more injuries. For example, using a regular seatbelt rather than an age-appropriate child safety seat with very young children can result in serious injuries in the event of a collision.

Children under the age should be in a child safety seat in the back seat of the car. Infants should be in rear-facing seats while older children and toddlers can be facing forward, but must be in child safety seats designed for their age group. Most experts agree that until age two, children should be in rear-facing seats. Once children are between 40 and 65 pounds, they can be placed in child safety seats with harness and buckles.

Children under four-feet nine inches in height or under 8 years old should be placed in booster seats. This is because in the event of a Florida truck accident or car accident, the seatbelt can cut into a child’s neck, causing serious and potentially life-threatening injury. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, children should always be in the back seat until they are at least 13 years old. Younger children are much safer in the back, even when they no longer need a child safety seat. The back seat provides more cushioning and more protection in the event of an accident. Children who are in the back seat will suffer fewer injuries from the windshield. As well, airbags, which are now standard in most cars, can be dangerous to children when deployed. The airbags inflate very suddenly and because children are not as tall as adults, children tend to be pushed into the airbag with great force. This can and does cause injuries.

According to federal statistics, the widespread use of child safety seats does seem to have an impact on child safety in car accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 4% of the nation’s fatal car accidents resulted in the deaths of minors 14 years of age and under. This is 3% lower than the number of childhood deaths in car accidents in 2008. This is despite the fact that the amount of miles traveled by Americans in cars actually increased in 2009. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 179,000 children sustained injuries in 2009 car accidents.

Child safety seat use does seem to be closer to universal – but booster seats are a different problem. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2009, 96% of children between the ages of 1 and 3 were placed in child seats and 89% of children under 13 years of age used child restraints appropriate for their age. 41% of children between the ages of 4 to 7 use booster seats. Child safety advocates would like to see that number increase in order to help safeguard children. The message is clear: In Florida car accidents, age-appropriate safety seats and restrains can save lives and can help prevent injuries.

Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog