South Carolina Has One of the Highest Rates of Drunk Driving Accidents in the United States
If you are looking for beautiful scenic views and delicious food, South Carolina is one of the best places you can go. From mountains to beaches and from beaches to barbecue, South Carolina is a feast for your senses. If your aim is to feel confident that the drivers with whom you share the road are sober, then South Carolina should not be among your top ten destinations. South Carolina ranks in the top five for states that had the highest rate of drunk driving. If you have been injured in a collision involving a drunk driver, contact a South Carolina car accident lawyer.
Why Drunk Driving Is Such a Problem
South Carolina law defines driving under the influence (DUI) as operating a motor vehicle while your blood alcohol content (BAC) is 0.08 or higher. For many people, having consumed two alcoholic beverages in the last two hours is enough to raise your BAC past the legal limit. If the driver that causes an accident is drunk, the chances are much higher that there will be serious injuries or fatalities as a result of the crash. Drunk drivers are much more likely to drive much faster than the speed limit and to make egregious mistakes, such as driving into oncoming traffic. They also have slower reaction time, making them less likely to swerve in time to avoid a crash or to reduce their speed when a collision is imminent, to lessen the impact and minimize the damage.
How South Carolina’s Drunk Driving Statistics Stack Up Against Other States
According to a report published on The State, South Carolina has a serious problem when it comes to drunk driving. Here is how it compares to other states:
- South Carolina has the fifth highest per capita rate of DUI arrests. The only states with a higher rate of DUI arrests are in the Northwest. Montana has more DUI arrests relative to its population than any other state, followed by Wyoming, North Dakota, and South Dakota.
- 30 percent of fatal crashes in South Carolina in 2018 involved alcohol.
- Drunk driving caused 291 fatalities in South Carolina in 2018. That is a higher rate of DUI fatalities per capita than every other state except Montana and Wyoming.
- South Carolina has a much higher rate of DUI than its neighbors. North Carolina is ranked 15th, while Georgia is in the lowest quartile for DUI rate.
If you are one of the people who have been injured in a DUI accident, then these statistics are of little consolation. You need the help of a car accident injury lawyer to ensure that you get the medical treatment and financial support that will enable you to cope with your injuries.
Let Us Help You Today
If you have been injured in a collision with a drunk driver, you are not alone. A Columbia car accident lawyer can help you rebuild your life after the accident Contact The Stanley Law Group for help with your case.
Resource:
thestate.com/news/state/south-carolina/article238550578.html
