Alcohol can impair a driver’s judgment and cause major difficulty in obeying route and road markings, traffic signals and traffic laws. Lack of sleep and exhaustion due to long drives can also cause carelessness and negligence that can result in an accident. Merging without indicating turning signals, and being negligent on the road can also put other drivers at risk.
In Louisiana, getting a DUI means jail time, a suspended license and a penalty in the form of a fine. There is a no tolerance policy for minors who drink while driving. If a minor is stopped by the police and has a blood alcohol concentration level of .02, it is presumed that they are intoxicated and they may be charged with a DUI and sentenced to up to six months in jail for underage drinking.
If a driver is found guilty with an open sealed container of alcohol in the passenger seat with even 1% alcohol, they will be fined as it is illegal to have any open alcoholic beverage. Motor vehicle accidents that involved a drunk driver with a blood alcohol concentration higher than 0.8-0.15 will almost certainly end with criminal charges of negligent injury, negligent homicide and other traffic charges.
It is not possible for you to account for all the drivers on the road, but you can keep yourself safe by wearing a seatbelt, driving with caution and staying clear of aggressive and reckless drivers. If a drunk driver has injured you or a loved one, you should consider hiring an experienced attorney who can help provide you with the proper legal assistance to fight for your case and grant you the compensation and justice you deserve.