Georgia DUI Accident Lawyer Shane Smith Explains How the State of Georgia Encourages Young Drivers to Drive Safely
According to the U. S. Department of Transportation and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) young drivers are prone to experience a high level of injury and death evidenced by their latest statistics:
- 2010 saw 1,963 15 – 20 year old drivers die in auto accidents, along with 187,000 more suffering injuries.
- Even though the number of young drivers involved in deadly crashes dropped 11 percent from 2009 to 2010, the numbers are still not good – 5,170 to 4,585.
- As of 2007, auto accidents is the number one cause of deaths for the 15 – 20 year old demographic.
In response to these national statistics, the State of Georgia has put in place the Georgia Young Adult Program to educate and make young drivers more cognizant of staying safe when they are driving. This program is not relegated just to drunk driving, but that is an important section. Other areas of focus for this program include speeding, driving while high, driving recklessly, etc.
Started in 2000 the program began with Paine College and Georgia Southwestern and has grown to 17 institutes of higher education during the 2010 fiscal year. The program has been so successful because it uses educators of similar ages to the students it targets. It also has education programs led by law enforcement and other public safety officials to communicate the gravity that one poor decision can lead to – property damage, severe injuries and even death.
Educating Georgia’s youth is very important to make them aware of what can happen when they make a poor judgment. However, with the best intentions and highly effective education the state provides, auto accidents, including drunken driving accidents can still happen. Talking with a Bethesda DUI accident attorney is the best thing to do if you have been injured or have lost a loved one from an intoxicated driver. Depending on the circumstances of the accident, a personal injury claim may exist, however, this can be determined by speaking with a Georgia DUI accident attorney. Call Shane Smith Law today to schedule a complimentary appointment with a Gwinnett County DUI accident attorney today!