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Many people at this time of year are planning their New Year’s Eve celebrations. If you are as well, it is important to plan well in advance not only to have a great time but also to avoid a Fort Lauderdale drunk driving accident. Unfortunately, the New Year is a high-risk time for these types of Fort Lauderdale car accidents, since some revelers ring in the New Year by making bad decisions. To avoid this, there are several things you can do now to enjoy a safe and happy New Year’s Eve:

1) Consider your New Year’s Eve celebrations carefully. Most cities offer alcohol-free or family-friendly activities as well as other options. Choosing an alcohol-free event ensures that you will not be drinking and therefore are less at risk of a Fort Lauderdale car accident.

2) Consider taking public transportation to and from the event. Many areas offer free transportation or free late-night public transport for revelers on New Year’s Eve. Find out whether this is available in your area. If it is, you may wish to consider taking public transit to and from your New Year’s Eve celebration. This way, you will not even be tempted to drive after drinking. Before your New Year’s Eve celebration, print out information about the routes available using public transport as well as the hours public transportation is available.

3) Make plans for waiting if you will be getting a cab home. On most nights, if you want to avoid a Fort Lauderdale traffic accident caused by drunk driving, you can simply call a cab in order to get home safely. On New Year’s Eve, however, taxi cab companies are often overwhelmed with requests. It can be hard to reach a cab company and get a cab. If you do want a taxi, you will generally have a long wait in front of you. Therefore, you will want to plan ahead. Find ways to wait patiently. This may mean setting your mobile device to alert you about an hour before you want to leave your event. This way, you can call a cab company an hour before you want the taxi to show up. Another option is to find a 24-hour diner or another place to wait for a cab.

4) Do not rely on a designated driver or public transport alone. You may decide to stay out later than you expected, long after public transport is no longer available. Your designated driver may decide to drink after all or may leave earlier than you. To get home safely, have multiple plans in place so that you can get home safely, no matter how your night turns out.

Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog

Unfortunately, Thanksgiving and the holiday season are a time when Florida and Pompano Beach drunk driving accidents may be on the rise. There are more holiday parties at this time of year serving alcohol, which can lead motorists to make poor decisions after drinking. Luckily, these types of Pompano Beach car accidents are completely preventable and you can do your part to help prevent these types of tragedies with just a few simple steps:

1) Plan ahead – even if you don’t plan to drink. Many drivers plan ahead if they plan on drinking, but even if you do not plan on drinking you may find that you end up being served alcohol or end up drinking anyway without planning to. Any time you head to a party or holiday event, you should have a backup plan for getting home safely if you do consume alcohol. This way, being unprepared is no excuse for driving drunk.

2) Have extra money on hand. A simple way to prevent DUI Pompano Beach car accidents is simply to have extra money on hand to pay for a hotel room or taxicab home if you have been drinking. You do not want to have to make a bad decision simply because you do not have money on hand to get home safely.

3) Keep the names of hotels and taxi companies in your wallet or glove compartment. Knowing exactly who you can call and where you can call in order to sober up or get home safe makes it easier for you to make the right decision if you do drink.

4) Have more than one plan for getting home safely. Having just one get home safe plan can be risky. For example, if you designate a driver but the driver ends up drinking or ends up leaving early, you could be stranded – unless you have a backup plan to get home safe. In addition to designating a driver, therefore, you may want to have other options on hand. Have money for a taxicab, have a list of friends you can call for a safe ride home, or have other options on hand so that you have lots of ways of getting home safely.

5) Don’t plan on walking home alone if you have been drinking. While it can seem like a better option than driving drunk, walking home inebriated can lead to a Pompano Beach pedestrian accident. Pedestrians who are intoxicated are more likely to become confused and may wander into traffic or get hit by a car. Inebriated pedestrians are also more likely to be involved in a Pompano Beach trip and fall accident or are more likely to injure themselves or become the victim of a crime because they are not alert enough to walk home safely. If you must walk home, walk home with friends or get a taxicab instead.

6) Consider making a difference by donating to a local group raising awareness about drunk driving. Raising awareness about the dangers of drunk driving and supporting groups that strive to reduce drunk driving helps keep everyone safer.

Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog

This blog has previously reported about some of the issues college students can face after being cited for a student offense, such as underage drinking. Alcohol or drug-related student offenses can land on a student’s permanent record, haunting the student in college, and beyond. Many agencies in North Carolina that are near a college campus look out for things, such as possession of a fake ID, as well as for evidence of potential underage alcohol offenses.

9 On Your Side News in Greenville recently reported that twice as many students at East Carolina University have been cited for underage drinking than those who faced such charges at this point last year. Law enforcement says that more than 80 ECU students have already been cited for underage drinking this semester.

But law enforcement apparently intends to up the ante. North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement Division officers are expected to crack down on underage alcohol offenses. This week marks the kickoff for ALE’s Back-to-School Operation, according to WNCT-TV.

ALE agents will especially be looking for underage drinkers in downtown clubs, according to an ALE Special Agent. He says that agents will be looking for people trying to get into clubs. He says that the enforcement efforts will also look at the clubs to make sure the establishments are adhering to state drinking laws.

ALE officials say that on average, they cite nearly 180 people for underage drinking each year during the first few weeks of school. The ALE, Back To School Operation reportedly runs through Saturday.

Source: WNCT 9 On Your Side, “ECU underage drinking citations have more than doubled this school year,” Katie Banks, Sep. 12, 2012

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

As with every three-day weekend, the Labor Day weekend is a cause of concern for law enforcement agencies across the state when it comes to drunk driving. Unfortunately, even with all the law enforcement checkpoints in place and all the public awareness about the dangers of drunk driving, every Labor Day weekend there are Florida and Hialeah car accidents and traffic stops caused by DUI.

This year, the Florida Highway Patrol is taking part in a national “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” initiative that will continue through September 3. In addition, police will be more vigilant during the holiday weekend in order to try to prevent Florida and Hialeah drunk driving accidents. To avoid a tragedy this holiday weekend, follow these tips:

1) Do not assume a small amount of alcohol is OK. In Florida, the legal blood-alcohol limit is 0.08%. For a woman who weighs 120 pounds, it may take only two to three drinks to exceed this limit. For a 190-pound adult man, it may take three to four drinks to exceed the limit. Depending on the physical condition of the person and the strength of the drinks served, however, it can take less. As well, some experts question the 0.08 percent limit, noting that for some people by the time they approach this limit their reasoning, peripheral vision, depth perception, and reflexes may be affected. In fact, most European countries have set their blood alcohol limits much lower and some nations have eliminated any drinking for drivers. Experts believe that even if you are below the official blood alcohol limit, you may still be affected enough by the alcohol to cause a Hialeah car accident. The best option is to avoid driving if you have been drinking at all. Keep in mind that secondary factors such as the heat or fatigue after a late-night Labor Day party can amplify the effects of just one drink.

2) Do not belittle other risk factors. Some drivers assume that as long as they are not drinking and driving, they are being responsible. However, if you are driving distracted or tired, you may be just as much risk on the road. For example, if you stay out late after a Labor Day party and then drive you may be just as liable to fall asleep at the wheel and cause a Hialeah pedestrian accident as someone who has been drinking.

3) Have multiple options for getting home. You are more likely to choose a safe route home if you choose several options. Designate a driver, but also have money and taxi company phone numbers to get home safely, for example. The more options you have, the more likely you are to make the right choice.

4) Remove temptation in the first place. If you are attending a Labor Day event where you know you may drink, consider taking a taxi or a bus to the event in the first place, so that driving home in your car is not even an option. Or, consider an alcohol-free event.

Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog

If only this cop was the rare exception to the norm.  What makes it newsworthy is that the prosecutors finally did something about this one….

Transferred for Bad DUI Arrests, Pinellas Deputy Fighting to Get Old Job Back

Largo, FL.  July 30 – Pinellas County sheriff’s deputy John Hubbard is fighting to get his old job back after being transferred from patrol to bailiff last year.

That happened after an internal affairs investigation determined Hubbard’s DUI investigations "lacked important/sufficient information to prosecute the cases."

"Upon review of the COBAN videos relating to several of your DUI cases, you were found to be demeaning and abrasive towards citizens," Hubbard was told in a disciplinary memo. "… During meetings with Assistant State Attorneys, you made inappropriate and unprofessional comments."

Hubbard is appealing those findings and has a hearing scheduled for Aug. 9. He told Bay News 9 there are many reasons why he wants to get back to "keeping the streets safe."

“One, I’m very effective there, and two, I make a lot more money,” Hubbard said. “I had a take-home car, which was taken from me. I made 10 percent differential and I made a lot of overtime.”

According to an inter-office disciplinary memo, Hubbard was also suspended for 160 hours and had to undergo a fitness-for-duty evaluation.

Internal affairs officials investigated 38 arrests deputy Hubbard made between January 2010 and June 2011, all but one of which was for DUI. In 24 of those cases, the investigation found, the DUI charge was either dropped or reduced because either the suspect’s blood-alcohol content was barely at or under the legal limit of .08 or the driver refused the tests after interacting with Hubbard…

According to the report, internal affairs began investigating Hubbard when the assistant state attorney in charge of misdemeanors at the time, Holly Grissinger, called Lt. Glenn Luben at the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office and notified him of a list of cases that were "either refusals or a low blow."…

Grissinger said prosecutors were not comfortable playing Hubbard’s videos for a jury because of Hubbard’s demeanor, according to the deposition.

"I felt that if those videos were broadcast, if the public saw those videos, that they would have a huge problem with his behavior and how he treated the people during a criminal investigation, whether they should have been arrested or not," she said…

Internal affairs investigators interviewed a couple more assistant state attorneys who complained about Hubbard.

According to the report, while assistant state attorney Dyana Sisti and Hubbard were watching a video together of a woman he arrested for DUI, the deputy said, “Yeah, yeah, shake your (expletive) honey,” as the woman stood in front of the cruiser…

According to the report, assistant state attorney Tony Carlow told investigators Hubbard told him he relies solely on the HGN test to determine sobriety in all his DUI investigations. "He does not care about the outcome of the field sobriety exercises," Carlow is quoted as saying…

During the investigated period, the report found, Hubbard arrested six drivers for DUI whose blood-alcohol content was under .08 and urine tests results for drugs came back clean. On the videos, Hubbard can be seen telling three of those drivers he believes they’re impaired based on their eyes.

"Well, the HGN that I checked your eyes … you miserably failed that," Hubbard said to one of those drivers.

According to the report, DUI expert Capt. Teresa Dioquino and Carlow both said Hubbard was doing the HGN test wrong.

“Deputy Hubbard is moving his pen from side to side too quickly to do the test properly,” Carlow said…

“I do feel like I do know what I’m doing,” Hubbard said. “I can check your eyes, a lot of people’s eyes, and I can tell … if it’s alcohol only and what their breath result will be.”

Dioquino, however, doesn’t agree.

"The training deficiencies are quite evident," she said…

This is the second time Hubbard has been demoted in his 24-year career with the sheriff’s office. According to reports, Hubbard was demoted from sergeant to patrol deputy in 2009 after it was determined he created a hostile work environment…

Sounds like this cop creates a hostile investigating environment, too.
  

DUI BLOG

The last time Manitoba’s Sunday shopping laws had a makeover, grunge fashion was sweeping into style, flannel shirts and baggy pants. Better still if it came from a thrift store.
Manitoba stories

As of July 1, Florida has introduced changes to its PIP coverage, so anyone who is involved in a Miami car accident from this month forward can expect some changes. PIP (Personal Injury Protection) coverage, also commonly called “no-fault” coverage, ensures that if someone is injured in a Miami traffic accident or Florida traffic accident they have medical care paid for promptly, regardless of who caused the car collision.

While the system is intended to ensure that everyone has money for needed medical care without a complex claims process, there have been criticisms of the system. Florida has come under fire for having one of the highest instances of insurance fraud in the country, and many claim that this is because the PIP coverage system is easy to abuse. In recent years, many fraudsters have been accused of staging Miami truck accidents and car accidents and even working with clinics to get the maximum 000 payout for even minor or fake injuries. The insurance has also become very expensive.

As a result of the criticisms, Florida legislators have made some changes. Starting July 1, those injured in a serious car accident will only be able to claim the maximum 000 PIP amount if they have an “emergency medical condition.” Less serious injuries will have a maximum coverage of 00. In addition, only dentists, medical doctors, and osteopaths will be able to declare an injury an “emergency medical condition.” Chiropractors will not be permitted to make the decision.

As a result of the new rules, car accident victims in the state will need to seek medical treatment within 14 days of their initial injury and accident. If they fail to do so, they will not qualify for PIP benefits at all. In addition, the new changes will mean that treatments such as massage and acupuncture will not be covered by PIP.

Experts have criticized the new rules, saying that it may be harder for some Miami motorcycle accident and car accident victims to get treatment for their injuries. For example, some victims may not notice symptoms until after the initial 14 days have passed. In addition, soft tissue injuries – which can be painful and expensive to treat – do not qualify as emergency medical conditions. Even some doctors have questioned the new rules, pointing out that the 00 cap for non-emergency conditions is troubling since some tests – including MRIs – can cost more than 00 alone.

It can be challenging to recover after a Miami car accident – and even more so if your insurance does not cover the full cost of your injuries. The new rules are confusing for many accident victims and may not allow for enough compensation to pay for medical care. It is more important than ever before to be aware of all your options before you make any decisions in your case. If you are seriously injured in a Miami traffic accident, contact a Miami personal injury attorney to at least review your options and your possible costs.

Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog

Davie car accidents seem very common during the summer months, when the news is filled with stories of serious accidents and roadway closures caused by collisions. One common cause of many Davie traffic accidents is fatigued driving. Fatigued driving can increase the risk of a Davie car crash in a number of ways. Fatigue, for example, can mean poorer motor control and response times. Studies have shown that driving when tired can result in the same poor motor control and slower response times as drunk driving. If you avoid drinking and driving to avoid a Davie drunk driving accident, you should also avoid driving tired to avoid a car accident.

Fatigue can mean micro-sleeps. When you are very tired, you may feel that you stay aware and awake but research has shown that you actually fall asleep for fractions of a second. This is the body’s way of getting much-needed sleep if you are severely exhausted and not taking the time to rest. You may have no recollection of these micro-sleep cycles but, of course, if they occur when you are behind the wheel of a car they can easily cause a devastating Davie pedestrian accident or traffic accident.

If you suffer from extreme fatigue, you can fall asleep at the wheel. Each year, Davie truck accidents and car accidents occur because an exhausted driver simply falls asleep while driving. When the body becomes so tired that even micro-sleep does not replenish the body, the body simply shuts down. When this occurs on the road, a driver loses complete control of their vehicle and the result is often a serious accident.

Even if you think that you are getting good sleep, you may still be driving tired. Many people assume that they are getting adequate sleep when in fact they are not. Even if you are getting eight hours of sleep a night you may suffer from sleep apnea or other sleeping disorders which can affect your driving ability. If you always wake up tired or find yourself sleepy during the day, even when you get adequate rest, speak with your doctor to find out whether you could have a sleep disorder that could be affecting the quality of rest you enjoy.

Summertime can exacerbate the effects of fatigue, so it especially important to be aware of the dangers of driving fatigued. The bright sun and high heat of Florida summers can lead to drowsiness and can be distracting, making it even harder for fatigued drivers to drive safely. Hot nights can also make it harder for those who already suffer from sleep disturbances to get a good night’s sleep.

Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog

Summer is a great time to pack up the car and hit the road. Many Floridians are choosing road trips over more complicated air travel due to costs. A car is a great way to explore the state and regions across the US, but road trips can lead to Miami car accidents. To avoid a Florida car collision, make sure that you:

1) Plan a sober trip. Miami drunk driving accidents are still a major cause of fatalities and on a road trip it can be tempting to unwind after a long day of driving with a beer. Designate a driver or resolve to avoid drinking until you get to your destination.

2) Bring the right number of passengers. An extra passenger or two can actually help you prevent a Miami traffic accident by taking over the driving when you are tired. An extra passenger can also take over reading the directions and street signs, so that you can focus on driving rather than trying to find your destination. However, too many passengers can be a distraction. Aim for one or two passengers per car.

3) Be careful about overloading the car, especially in ways that obscure visibility. Putting too much in your car can overload the tires and make you more prone to tire blow outs. Passenger cars that are overburdened with extra weight can also handle less easily. Just as overloaded trucks are more prone to Miami truck accidents, too heavy cars can also be more at risk. Adding a trailer is not necessarily safer, either, since a trailer poses its own risks. Where possible, aim to travel light. Try to place as many items as possible in the trunk of the car, where they will not obstruct your ability to see out the windows of your car. Keeping items in your car can also prove dangerous if you are in a car accident and the items become airborne. In this situation, any items in your car can cause Miami brain injuries and other serious injuries as they become projectiles.

4) Plan to drive distraction-free. Either plan your route ahead of time or have a passenger take care of guiding you. Checking your GPS or a map while driving is dangerous. Turn off your cell phone and mobile device before you start to drive and pull over if you need to check a map.

5) Plan ahead to stop and take rests. Professional truck drivers know that fatigued driving is one of the leading causes of Miami truck accidents. Driving too long before taking a break can cause you to drift off at the wheel. Make sure that you plan your route so that there are places to stop for a coffee and a stretch. At night, check in somewhere where you can get a good night’s sleep so that you can continue on your way refreshed and safe.

6) Get your car tuned up before you go. Mechanical failure on the road can delay your trip. More seriously, losing control of your car because something goes wrong with your brakes or tires can cause a Miami pedestrian accident or traffic accident. Take care of any problems with your car before you go.

7) Get yourself prepared to drive comfortably. Driving long distances is physically taxing. Keep water and chewing gum in your car, as well as a sweater and sunglasses. Make sure that you have these items so that you can stay comfortable and focused on the road rather than distracted by your own discomfort.

Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog

Miami takes extra steps to prevent Miami car accidents caused by drinking and driving during the holiday season. Unfortunately, holiday parties and events can increase the number of DUI accidents on the city’s roads. It is everyone’s responsibility to prevent these types of Miami traffic accidents and there are many things you can do to help prevent DUI accidents this holiday season:

1) Carry extra cash in your wallet. Place this money apart from the rest of your money, perhaps in a separate pocket or behind some of your ID, so that you will not spend it. Having extra cash ensures that you always have money towards a taxi, so that there is no excuse for getting behind the wheel of your car after you have been drinking.

2) Have more than one safe way to get home at all times. In many instances, public transportation or even a taxi may not be an option – especially if you are well outside the city. In your glove compartment, keep a range of taxi phone numbers, cash for taxis, information about bus routes, motel room information, and a list of friends you can call for a safe drive home. The more safe options you have, the more likely you are to choose a safe alternative to get home.

3) Prepare to drink – even if you don’t plan on drinking. It’s easy to assume that you will not drink at a holiday party and will therefore be able to get yourself home. However, once at that party you may be tempted to drink or you may end up unwittingly drinking a holiday punch that is full of brandy. Don’t assume that you will be able to drive yourself home; always have options and cash on hand.

4) Consider taking a no-drinking-and-driving pledge with friends. MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) as well as other organizations make such pledges available. Signing a pledge and promising not to drink and drive can help you consider the risks of Miami drunk driving accidents and can help you make the right choice.

5) Talk to your children about drinking and driving. Don’t assume that just because your children are under the legal age of drinking that they are safe from Miami drunk driving accidents. Underage drinking is a very real problem, and even if your teens do not drink, they may get in a car with a driver who has been drinking. Discuss the dangers of drinking and driving with your children and have your children promise to call you rather than driving home with someone who has been drinking. Make sure that you praise, rather than punish, your children for making the right decision if they do call you for a safe drive home.

6) Be responsible when serving alcohol at your holiday parties. If someone is in a drunk driving accident after leaving a party where you served alcohol, you could be held partly liable, and a Miami premises liability claim will make your holidays very unpleasant. Consider holding alcohol-free parties. If that is not an option, stop serving alcohol early and make sure that everyone has a safe way to get home.

Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog