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DUI Court in Schools Program Educates Students on Dangers of Drinking and Driving

Posted on behalf of Arnold Law Firm in
DUI Court in schools programWe’ve all heard the assertion, Don’t drink and drive. However, according to data recently compiled by the California Office of Transportation Safety, the average person will drive while intoxicated 80 different times before they are caught by law enforcement officials. That’s an alarmingly high statistic — one that leads to drunk driving car accidents and fatalities that could have otherwise been prevented. Last year, 6,000 people were arrested in Sacramento County for driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs – yet another statistic that is too high, according to Angela Kellogg, a Chaplain with Law Enforcement Community Services. Kellogg believes early prevention techniques are essential for reducing the number of Driving Under the Influence (DUI) and Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) accidents and fatalities on California roadways each year. Therefore, she is spearheading a special campaign to teach children and young adults throughout Sacramento County the importance of not drinking and driving. Each month, Kellogg and her co-workers present DUI Court in Schools at Sacramento-area campuses to introduce students to the often tragic consequences of drinking and driving by bringing real-life DUI court hearings to local schools. The program aims to increase awareness of the legal ramifications associated with driving while under the influence. Students are reminded that anyone under the age of 21 is not legally permitted to drink alcohol, and anyone younger than 21 years of age who is caught with alcohol in their system will have their drivers license revoked for up to three years. The students also learn a DUI conviction will stay on their driving record for 13 years, a mistake that could potentially interfere with their ability to attend college, get a good paying job, or find affordable car insurance. Last month, the program was presented at Will Rogers Middle School in Fair Oaks, California. Over 300 students attended the event, where they watched a local judge sentence a lengthy jail term to a DUI offender. Since its inception five years ago, over 50,000 students have taken part in the DUI Court in Schools program. In the United States, someone is injured in a drunk driving accident every 90 seconds. If you or a loved one has been the victim of a DUI car crash, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses. Contact an experienced Sacramento car accident attorney at the Arnold Law Firm today to discuss your legal options and rights.

Call (916) 777-7777 or fill out our FREE Case Evaluation Form.

Settlement - $3,767,000

Truck Accident

A 20-year-old man who had been married for just 12 days left home on his way to work. He was driving on Pleasant Grove Road in Sutter County in the early morning when he came upon a slow-moving truck. As he pulled out to pass the truck, the truck driver turned left in front of him. The young man attempted to steer back into his lane but his vehicle struck an un-flagged piece of metal extending from the back of the truck. He died in the resulting crash.

Expert witnesses brought in by the Arnold Law Firm proved that the truck, owned and operated by a hauling firm, should never have been on the highway that morning. Specifically, the rear and side turn signals did not work and the rear-view mirror was in a poor state of adjustment at the time of the collision. As a result, the driver, who had failed to properly inspect the vehicle before setting out that morning, couldn’t see the young man’s vehicle as it attempted to pass.

The poor condition of the truck, its lack of maintenance and the manner in which it was operated were found to be substantial factors in causing the collision that killed the young man. The testimony also established that the man had been making a lawful pass at the lawful speed limit and acted reasonably when he attempted to avoid the collision.

The man’s 20-year-old widow was awarded $3,767,000.77, his parents were awarded $185,131 and the family was reimbursed $11,899 in funeral expenses. Though money is a poor substitute for a young man’s life, this verdict demonstrates that drivers who endanger the lives of others will be held accountable for their actions.