Auto Accidents

Drunken driving deaths take their toll in more than just one way.

This is one of those stories that sets you to thinking, “What if?” Drunken driving is almost as prevalent as the common cold, and like a common cold, it has the potential to turn into something else over time. Take this case, for instance. It is one that still resonates with grief and loss, even two years after the fact. The only good thing is that there is a measure of healing involved for the man who killed a family’s son, for the family who lost their son, and for the officer that attended the final chapter of a young man’s life.

It was November, 2010, when four friends were heading back home after a concert, with the designated driver behind the wheel. While heading north on the highway, the four were rammed by a 22-year-old Air Force airman doing an estimated 78 mph. He had opted to drive while under the influence. His decision killed a 21-year-old passenger in the car. The man’s family decided to file a wrongful death lawsuit, not for revenge, but to seek an accounting of responsibility.

The airman’s blood alcohol content was 0.183; he pled guilty to drunken driving, involuntary manslaughter, and three counts of aggravated battery. While on his way out of court to start serving a six-year sentence, he was told by the mother of the dead young man that they forgave him. The family wanted to focus on healing, and not anger. As a step toward healing, the family started a website asking people to perform seven acts of kindness. The detective who was present at the scene of that horrible accident made his first act of kindness: a presentation for schools and colleges about the accident. In sharing the horror of death caused by a drunken driver, a lesson was presented to those who watch.

However, the officer felt that something was missing from the presentation: the convicted drunken driver. Over time, the officer made the effort to get to know the driver: when he is released from prison in 2016, they plan to make the presentation together. It is, in part, a story about faith and healing, about redemption and about the horror of what drinking and driving does. It’s not a hearts-and-flowers presentation. It is factual and graphic. It carries the message that people need to be responsible and do not drink and drive. It hits home, and that is what it is intended to do. Don’t drink and drive. It may be the last time you do.

Not all stories involving a drunken driver end up like this one. Some situations leave families seething with anger and a thirst for revenge. The point is drunken drivers affect all of us in some way or another. It’s time to stop the carnage.

Charlie Donahue is a New Hampshire personal injury lawyer located in Keene. Donahue handles injury cases in New Hampshire and across the United States. To learn more about New Hampshire injury attorney, Charlie Donahue, visit Donahuelawfirm.com.

It’s always a tragedy when someone texting on the phone while driving hits another car head-on. The death that occurs was always avoidable.

The whole point of texting and driving is to keep in touch with others. The irony is that we used to be able to do that just fine with a phone used at home or at work. There is no need to chat while driving. Nothing — repeat nothing — is important enough to risk your own life and the lives of others by texting while driving. It appears Oklahoma may be getting with the ban texting while driving movement by dedicating an entire week to this issue.

In fact, there is a new rally cry, or war cry if you will, that calls for stopping texting, to stop the horrific wrecks that happen as a result of this dangerous driving habit. Think about these figures for a moment before blowing off the notion that this article does not apply to you, or anyone else you may know. On average, a texting driver glances down at their phone for five seconds for every text sent or read. Let’s say their speed is 40 mph. In those five seconds, they will travel at least 300 feet, which is the length of a football field. Those five seconds of inattention kill. It’s been proven, time and time again. When does it stop?

Nationwide statistics show that more than 3,000 people died, and just about half a million were injured, as a result of accidents caused by distracted drivers. These figures don’t include the close calls, the near misses when someone manages to avoid an accident, and discovers when they look at the other driver, that they have a cell phone in their hand – or worse yet – they were texting themselves when driving.

There are 39 states that currently ban texting while driving in some form or another, but there are still a few states, and Oklahoma is one of them, that don’t have a single sentence in their laws relating to distracted driving. For some reason, although the idea seems to garner support, the law never comes to pass, and people keep on dying for no good reason, other than they wanted to make sure their friends knew about a party that night.

Of interest is the groundswell of youth speaking out about the dangers of texting and driving. In Oklahoma alone, just about 94 percent of teens want a law banning distracted driving, and close to 84 percent of adults agree. So where is the law? It seems those that live in Oklahoma have a deep down dislike of the government telling them what to do, and they aren’t the only state where people hold similar views.

Those good citizens have a right to feel that way. Personal liberty is a precious thing, and it may be that instead of implementing more new laws on top of the existing laws, it is time to consider that current laws against driving while distracted are sufficient as they stand. The government may need to step back and find a happy medium to make the situation work.

Charlie Donahue is a New Hampshire personal injury lawyer located in Keene. Donahue handles injury cases in New Hampshire and across the United States. To learn more about New Hampshire injury attorney, Charlie Donahue, visit Donahuelawfirm.com.

These days, people may have more technology in their cars than in their offices. This is not safe.

Those with connectivity in their vehicles swear their productivity has increased and that they can multi-task and drive at the same time. These are often the same people that the police and EMS crews have to pull out of their wrecked cars with the Jaws of Life. They are often the same individuals who are either seriously injured or killed in an auto accident. It is a no brainer that someone cannot drive, text, talk, adjust equipment, send faxes or watch a computer screen without serious consequences.

Been lucky so far, and nothing has happened to you? While that is good news, it does not mean that you are not at risk. Nor does it mean that another driver, doing the same thing you are, will not slam into you and leave you badly injured. For safety’s sake, for the sake of your own life, and the lives of people you don’t know, who also have families, do not use mobile technology while you are driving.

All of our technology is addictive. We did just fine without any of it. Now we think we can’t live without “all” of it. As an injury lawyer, I see lots of needless suffering caused by distracted people. It is a good practice for all of us to spend some time away from our computers and iPhones to see that we can manage just fine without being connected all the time. It seems like we are always on high alert waiting for the next message. It is good for us to take a step back from all of it.

Don’t think this is an issue? The average American spends over two hours in their car every day. The rest of the day is typically spent “communicating” with everyone by updating a Facebook place, posting a Tweet on Twitter, visiting a Google+ site, texting or whatever else comes to mind during the day. Technology is terrific, but know when and where to use it. If you only spend about two hours a day in the car, why not do it without being connected to multiple social media sites? Your safety is far more important than what you want to eat for supper, or what your golf score was that day.

What is the obsession with being out of touch for a short period of time? We never used to have mobile devices in our vehicles, and there were far less accidents. But, people sputter, the devices are so useful! True, but they can be useful in a safe environment, like an office or at home. There is no need to text and drive. If you don’t think this applies to you, then research the number of people who have died doing just that. If you don’t want to be a statistic, ditch the technology while driving.

The end results of technology in use prior to a driver meeting another car or semi head-on is awful. If you could see that, and listen to the family’s distress and grief, you would never use a cellphone, smartphone, tablet or anything else in your vehicle again, ever. Get smart.

Charlie Donahue is a New Hampshire personal injury lawyer located in Keene. Donahue handles injury cases in New Hampshire and across the United States. To learn more about New Hampshire injury attorney, Charlie Donahue, visit Donahuelawfirm.com.