dwyer_chicago_law_firm_header_08_1.jpg
Archive | drunk driving RSS feed for this section

IDOT Reminds Drivers Of Work Zone Safety

by on April 24, 2012 in Accident, car accident, distracted driving, drunk driving, IDOT, texting while driving

This week is National Work Zone Awareness Week. The Illinois Department of Transportation along with the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority, Illinois State Police, Local Laborers Union, Illinois Road and Transportation Builders Association and others are participating in the awareness week in an effort to help reduce traffic-related crashes, injuries and fatalities in work zones.

According to the Illinois Department of Transportation press release, speed and inattentiveness are the major contributing factors to work zone crashes. The coalition is working to remind drivers that when construction conditions are present, it is imperative to reduce speeds for the safety of all the workers as well as other drivers.

With lane reductions, lane closures, drop offs and heavy equipment moving next to traffic, if speeds are not reduced, the chance of having an accident greatly increases.

IDOT reminded drivers it is illegal to use a hand-held wireless device while operating a vehicle in a construction zone or operating any wireless device while operating a motor vehicle in Illinois is illegal.

IDOT said on average, there are more than 7,000 motor vehicle crashes in work zones yearly. Last year, 24 people were killed in work zone crashes. Twenty one of those killed were drivers or passengers, two were workers and one was a pedestrian.

Speeding in a work zone can result in a fine of $375 for first-time offenders and $1,000 for second-time offenders with a driver’s license suspension for up to 90 days. If a driver hits a worker, they face up to a $10,000 fine along with up to 14 years in prison.

If you or your loved one has been injured in a work zone crash, you may want to discuss your case with a Chicago car accident attorney who can help you decide your next step. Call the Law Office of Dwyer & McDevitt today for a free, initial consultation.

Comments { 0 }

MADD, NFL Designated Driver Program Sees Increase In Volunteers

by on February 1, 2012 in Accident, drunk driving, MADD, transportation news

A program aimed at keeping drunk drivers off the road during and after NFL games announced they have had record sign ups for volunteers this season.

According to the press release from Mothers Against Drunk Driving, also known as MADD, the organization had 220,000 fans sign up to be designated drivers for game day, representing a 30 percent increase from 2010.

The Chicago Bears, along with eight other NFL teams, partnered with MADD in 2011 for a designated driver program to help make game-day safer for the fans. The program ran throughout the season and will conclude with the Super Bowl XLVI, Sunday.

MADD and the NFL worked together to urge people to take a stand against drunk driving through a Facebook campaign and a program encouraging parents to discuss drunk driving with their children.

During the pre-game MADD distributes information cards and plays a PSA urging people to be designated drivers and avoid drinking and driving.

If you or your loved one has been seriously injured in a drunk driving accident, the Chicago personal injury attorneys at Dwyer & McDevitt are here to assist you. We can discuss your situation and help you decide if a personal injury claim should be persued. Call us today and find out how we can help you.

Comments { 0 }

Alcohol-Related Deaths, DUIs Decrease In Illinois

by on December 24, 2011 in Accident, car accident, drunk driving

The number of alcohol-impaired motor vehicle deaths in Illinois over the past five years has continued to decrease, according to crash data released by the Illinois Department of Transportation.

According to the data, deaths have decreased by 33 percent from 2006 through 2010. In 2006, 446 deaths were attributed to impaired driving accidents while in 2010, 298 deaths were attributed to impaired driving accidents.

The data also showed the number of DUI arrests decreased by 16 percent between 2007 and 2010.

Officials are contributing the decrease to law enforcement and motorists working to comply with traffic safety laws.

If you or your loved one has been seriously injured in a car accident, you need an experienced attorney who can fight on your behalf. Contact Dwyer & McDevitt today for a free, initial consultation.

Comments { 0 }

CDC Study: Drunk Driving Rates Decrease, But Still High

by on October 10, 2011 in Accident, accidental death, drunk driving, wrongful death

A study released this month showed that although rates of drinking and driving has decreased by nearly 30 percent in the past five years, U.S. adults still drank too much and got behind the wheel about 112 million times in 2010.

The study, conducted by the Centers for Disease Control, also found that men were responsible for nearly all of the drinking and driving last year (about 81 percent) and 32 percent of those who drank and drove were men between the ages of 21 and 34.

Many who drank and drove also reported binge drinking, which means men consumed five or more drinks and woman consumed four or more drinks in a short period of time.

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured or you have a loved one who was killed in an accident involving a drunk driver, we may be able to help you. Contact us today for your free, initial case evaluation.

To read more about the study, click here >>

Comments { 0 }

Teen Charged In Crash That Killed One

by on July 11, 2011 in Accident, accidental death, car accident, drunk driving, wrongful death

A Chicago teen was charged Monday in a crash that killed a 911 operator Sunday morning, officials said.

According to police, the accident occurred about 6:15 a.m. when the teen was driving a stolen Range Rover during a two-mile police chase Sunday morning.

The 42-year-old dispatcher, who was driving home from her early shift, was killed in the crash. Afterward, the teen apparently tried to flee the police on foot before he was arrested.

The teen also faces additional charges including burglary and driving under the influence as well as disobeying a traffic light and failing to stop at a stop sign.

If you or your loved one has been seriously injured or killed in a traffic accident, our offices may be able to assist you. Contact us today for your free case evaluation.

Comments { 0 }

Former Dentist Convicted In Drunk Driving Death

by on June 18, 2011 in Accident, accidental death, car accident, drunk driving, transportation news, wrongful death

A former dentist was convicted Friday of killing a Navy veteran in a drunk driving accident almost three years ago.

Jeff Bondy was killed when Drew Forquer, now 51, made a sloppy left-turn, crossed the center line and ran into Bondy head-on. Bondy was on his motorcycle.

Forquer was convicted of reckless homicide and aggravated drunken driving. According to reports, Forquer had a history of drunken driving convictions prior to the accident and faces up to 15 years in prison for his role in Bondy’s death.

Officials said nearly four-hours after the accident, Forquer registered a 0.045 percent on the breathalyzer, below the legal limit, but survelliance video, field sobriety tests and eyewitness reports showed Forquer was very impaired at the time of the crash.

Sentencing will be at a later date.

If you or your loved one has been seriously injured in a drunken driving accident, our firm may be able to assist you. Contact our offices today for your free case evaluation.

Comments { 0 }