Scott C. Gottlieb, Injury Law Attorney

Driving While Intoxicated has grave consequences. Whether there is an accident or not, being convicted of DWI will turn into a very expensive proposition. Each year, more states, especially New York, are increasing the penalties for DWI offenses. At a minimum, if you are convicted of DWI in New York, you will pay a fine of $500 as well as a Court surcharge. Your license will be revoked for 6 months and the Department of Motor Vehicles will charge you a civil penalty of $750, to be paid over the next 3 years. If you choose to get a conditional license prior to the expiration of your 6 month revocation, there will be other DMV costs for processing your request and participating in the Drinking Driver Program. Finally, your insurance rates are likely to increase, due to a re-evaluation of your risk status. The best solution is never to drink and drive. In the alternative, you may purchase an alcohol sensor device that will measure your blood alcohol content prior to getting behind the wheel.

Labels: accidents, general

Many states have recently considered passing legislation prohibiting text messaging while driving. Some states have proposed similar legislation involving prohibitions against eating food while behind the wheel. The reality is that distractions are one of the leading causes of motor vehicle accidents. Any time the driver must look down, thus taking his eyes off the road, there is a greater risk that he will be involved in a collision. The lesson to be learned is that any conduct, whether it be speaking on a cell phone or talking to other passengers, is potentially dangerous if it causes the driver to focus away from the road ahead.

Labels: accidents, general