Report Drunk Drivers

As an experienced Tennessee car accident lawyer I am always looking for interesting stories that I can bring to the attention of my client’s and blog readers. Yesterday I found a great story with a wonderful message. An 83 year-old New York man who, along with his daughter, were on their way to a wedding when a drunken driver in a pick-up truck rear-ended them while driving along Interstate 684 in Southeast New York.

The drunken driver failed to stop and continued along weaving in and out of traffic, driving on the shoulder and generally making the Interstate dangerous for all others on the road. The 83 year-old was determined to stop this drunk before he hurt someone. Putting aside his goal of getting to the wedding on time he followed the drunk for 15 miles while his daughter was in contact with the State Police. They followed the man all the way to his driveway and stayed there until police arrived on the scene.

The article went on to say that by the time they finished filing police reports they missed the wedding. The drunk driver was charged with driving while intoxicated and driving with a suspended license.

This man could have just as easily decided to get on to the wedding and let someone else worry about this drunken driver, but he did exactly the right thing. Concerned that the drunk would hurt another person he took it upon himself to follow, not confront, the drunk and contact the authorities. This is the kind of commitment to our fellows that makes this a great country.

If you are driving on a Tennessee highway and see an other driver acting the fool dial *847 in rural areas or 911 in urban areas and notify the police. Never confront the driver just follow as best you can and give police a good description of the vehicle. If you or a loved one is injured or killed in a Tennessee automobile accident contact the experienced Nashville automobile accident attorneys at Phillip Miller & Associates and find out about your rights and remedies.

Report Drunk Drivers

On October 23, 2009, Eddy McCreery, 44, was killed in a crash on I-40 caused by a woman Metro Police believe was driving drunk. Three days later Malindy Raymer, 45, was killed in a collision involving a man suspected of driving while intoxicated. Two more needless deaths at the bloody hands of John Barleycorn.

An interesting article on the website of WZTV Channel 17 in Nashville, reports that the legislature is going to be given a chance to take steps to continue to address this epidemic.

According to the article two drunk driving bills will come before legislators in this year’s legislative session in January. Senator Mae Beavers, Rep., District 17, is hoping legislators will change Tennessee’s open container law, making it illegal for anyone to have an open alcohol container in a car. Senator Beavers is also supporting a bill mandating ignition interlock devices for all convicted DUI offenders– something Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) has backed for years. Under present law the penalties for driving under the influence are:

1ST TIME DUI OFFENDER – .08 (BAC) [TCA 55-10-401] [TCA 55-10-403]

●     48 hours to 11 months, 29 days of jail for offenders under the age of 21.

●     24 hours to 11 months, 29 days of jail for offenders 21 and over

●     .20 BAC or greater minimum jail time 7 consecutive days

●     License revocation for 1 year

●     You will be ordered to participate in a DUI school

●     Pay restitution to any person suffering physical injury or personal loss

●     $350-$1,500 Fine

●     With towing, bail, attorney, high risk insurance, court costs, school, and reinstatement fees, your first offense average costs could add up to $4,900.

●     Judge can order you to install a vehicle Ignition Interlock Device at your expense. Minimum 1st year cost $810 [55-10-412d]

●     If two (2) convictions of DUI in 5 years, Ignition Interlock Device required for 6 months after reinstatement at your expense.

●     Drug and Alcohol Treatment may be required at the judge’s discretion.

As an experienced Nashville car accident lawyer I want to remind you that driving with a BAC of .08 or higher is illegal in every state. If you follow my blog you will see that in Tennessee we continue to see a tragic number of people with debilitating injuries and deaths as a result of impaired driving. This careless disregard for human life must stop. If you suspect a driver is under the influence you can call *THP ( *847)  and alert the Tennessee Highway Patrol. Do your part and save a life.

If you or a loved one is killed or injured in a Nashville car accident involving a drunk driver contact the experienced Nashville automobile accident attorneys at Phillip Miller & Associates and find out about your right and remedies.

The Nashville automobile accident, personal injury law firm of Phillip Miller & Associates is not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call us or another reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free consultation. We provide a free, confidential consultation to not at fault persons named in this article. The free consultation offer extends to family members as well.