According to nationally compiled statistics, In the United States, 12.8% of all fatal traffic crashes were alcohol-related, and 40% of that number involved teens driving while drinking alcohol.
This is a staggering number, and a preventable situation. Alcohol awareness is a catch-phrase. Teens need to understand first-hand what happens to their bodies and their emotional states when they drink alcohol.
Teen DUI drivers face the loss of their driving privilege for one year, heavy fines and DUI education classes. Their parents face a massive increase in insurance premiums, embarrassment and the knowledge that they cannot monitor their children all the time.
But what if someone is killed by a teen DUI driver? In certain circumstances the parents may be held liable for negligently entrusting their children with a car, knowing the child may drink, drive and possibly crash into someone, causing death.
Southern California and Orange County are heavily populated areas in the United States. More important, people living in all parts of Orange County, whether Irvine, Newport Beach or Santa Ana, are totally dependent on cars for a variety of reasons.
If a teen drinks alcohol and needs to drive home, call a cab. As a parent, tell your kids they get to take a cab once without penalty. Do not drive. If a child kills someone they may face prison. Whether you live in Irvine, Lake Forest or Anaheim Hills, if you are charged with a DUI, call an experienced DUI defense attorney to assist you.
If you want to know more about driving under the influence, or your own charges, call DUI defense attorney William Weinberg @ 949.474.8008 in his Irvine office.