Impaired Driving Remains a Top Priority for NTSB

Each year, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) releases its “Most Wanted List” with 10 critical transportation safety improvements needed to reduce transportation accidents and save lives. The goal of the list is to increase awareness of these serious safety issues and promote viable solutions to address them.

Once again, NTSB’s “Most Wanted List” includes a push to end substance impairment in transportation. Most substance-impaired driving crashes involve motor vehicles, but these crashes can also involve planes, trains, ships, and even pipelines. Alcohol is a primary concern in these crashes. The NTSB notes that while public education efforts have helped raise awareness about the serious consequences of drunk driving, many drivers are still not aware that even low levels of intoxication can substantially raise the chances of having a crash. In addition, the NTSB cites recent research that shows over-the-counter medications, prescription medications, and illicit drugs also significantly contribute to incidents of impaired driving.

To address the problem, NTSB recommends better post-crash data collection to determine if alcohol or drugs played a factor; greater documentation and reporting of crash data; an increased use of high visibility enforcement; expanded use of technology; and measures that target repeat offenders, including DWI Courts.

The goals on the NTSB’s 2015 Most Wanted List are:

Disconnect from Deadly DistractionsEnd Substance Impairment in TransportationEnhance Public Helicopter SafetyImplement Positive Train Control in 2015Improve Rail Tank Car SafetyMake Mass Transit SaferPrevent Loss of Control in Flight in General AviationRequire Medical Fitness for DutyStrengthen Commercial Trucking SafetyStrengthen Procedural Compliance

Watch the video below to learn more about the NTSB’s 2015 Most Wanted List.

Continue Reading...

New Jersey man charged for allegedly driving impaired

Hopatcong police say that they took three people into custody on Jan. 5 after receiving a call at around 10:40 p.m. concerning a vehicle on Harvard Trail and Divito Trail. The caller noted that a light inside the car was being turned on and off.

The driver of the vehicle reportedly drove off when one of the officers arrived, but the officer stopped the car on Crescent Road. After approaching the vehicle, the officer claims that he smelled burnt cannabis coming from inside it.

The officer told the 19-year-old male driver to step out of the vehicle. Meanwhile, another officer asked the 19-year-old male passenger to step out from the back seat. He allegedly had a clear bag containing marijuana, a glass pipe that reportedly had the residue of burnt marijuana inside it and a grinder. The rear passenger and a 19-year-old woman who was riding in the front passenger seat reportedly told the officers that all three of them were smoking cannabis in the car.

Police took all three into custody, and a drug recognition expert was called to test the driver. The detective determined that the driver was under the influence of cannabis, and all three people face charges for being under the influence. The driver faces additional reckless driving and DWI charges as well as a probationary driving violation. The back-seat passenger also faces charges for marijuana and drug paraphernalia possession.

Being convicted of DWI could carry heavy penalties, including fines, community service and jail time. It may also cause problems when a defendant seeks employment while an employed person might lose his or her job. A lawyer might possibly be able to negotiate reduced charges and penalties if the defendant agrees to complete a substance abuse program.

Source: NJ.com, "Report of suspicious vehicle leads to DWI, pot arrests in Hopatcong", Warren Reporter, Jan. 9, 2015

Tags: DWI charges, fines, penalties

Continue Reading...

New Jersey public official detained for impaired driving

According to reports, on Dec. 20, the mayor of Paulsboro was taken into custody for drinking and driving following a traffic stop. Woolwich police reportedly responded to the scene after they received an anonymous tip regarding a vehicle that was swerving on Paulsboro Road. When authorities stopped the vehicle, they reportedly found the mayor behind the wheel. He underwent field sobriety tests that determined that he was impaired. However, his specific BAC level was not reported, and it was unclear if the accused was subjected to a blood test.

Authorities claimed that he initially did not follow the instructions needed to undergo field sobriety tests. The mayor now faces charges of driving while impaired, failure to submit to breath tests, failure to maintain a lane and reckless driving. Sources indicate that the accused refused to comment on the reported case since the pending investigation is ongoing.

Some people might not feel that a DUI charge is serious enough to justify the expense of a criminal defense attorney. However, in addition to all of the criminal repercussions, including loss of license, time in custody and excessive fees, a DUI conviction could mean that the person is disqualified from holding public office and raise doubts about their ability to hold a public position. A defense lawyer knows various strategies to employ for those facing charges related to impaired driving.

A criminal defense lawyer might cast doubt on the reasons for the traffic stop, which could jeopardize the prosecution's case. If a court determines that the traffic stop was not justified, the entire case might be dismissed. In addition, an attorney may question the validity or accuracy of a field sobriety test.

Source: NJ.com, "Paulsboro mayor Jeff Hamilton arrested for DWI in Woolwich", Rebecca Forand, December 26, 2014

Tags: Drunk Driving Charges

Continue Reading...

Holiday Season is Open Season for Impaired Driving

Many people plan festive parties to celebrate Christmas and New Years. These parties often include delicious food and copious amounts of alcohol to help put party goers in the mood and to help make the celebration more fun. However, because this time of year calls for people to let down their guard and to revel in the merriment of the holiday season, many people misjudge how much they have had to drink before driving themselves home. While the holidays should be a time for festivity and joy, these occasions are also increasingly being known as a season when incidences ofimpaired driving rise significantly.

People who drink and drive are not necessarily bad or even careless individuals. Even so, it can be vital that you know what steps to take if you find yourself involved in a drunk driving incidence. Whether you are the victim of a drunk driving accident or have been detained by police because of driving under the influence, you should recognize the importance of hiring a DUI attorney immediately. A lawyer who practices in this area of law can act promptly to make sure your rights are protected.

In fact, being detained on a DUI charge can be devastating to both your personal life and your professional career. When you want to safeguard your job and also minimize the risk that this charge will have on you and your family, it is essential that you retain legal counsel immediately after your arrest. Your lawyer can examine the evidence against you and make sure that the results of your field sobriety test are accurate. He or she can also have your urine or blood tested by a third party laboratory if necessary to eliminate any faulty results that could implicate you in court.

Your holidays should be a time of fun and cheer. When impaired driving threatens to ruin your holiday season, you can protect yourself by relying on skilled legal counsel.

Continue Reading...