Alcohol and other drugs are as prevalent as they have ever been in modern society, and despite all of our best efforts to curb the trend of more people using them it appears that abuse of these substances remains an enormous problem. Laws around the United States – including in Alaska – now feature very stiff penalties for anyone who gets behind the wheel of a vehicle and causes a car accident that leads to injuries and/or fatalities. Unfortunately, it appears that this attempt at deterrence has not been enough, as too many people are still killed in Alaska and around the country by intoxicated drivers.
The Alaska Department of Transportation
has been taking part in the effort to bring down the number of intoxicated drivers in recent years, and one of the ways in which it has done so has been by providing the public with information. The information regarding intoxicated drivers and the number of people who are hurt in crashes in which these people are involved is troubling enough, as nearly 1,000 of these accidents occur every year in the state. Below you will find the 5 most common types of accidents that occur in Alaska in which alcohol or the use of drugs was recorded as a factor.
- Fixed Object – 33.5 Percent
There are many different fixed objects in Alaska, including telephone poles, utility poles and of course trees. Collisions into these objects tend to create a lot of damage and harm. - Angle/Sideswipe Crashes – 19.6 Percent
Many of these types of collisions occur at intersections, as drunk drivers may not navigate through them properly and crash into other motorists who may not see them coming. - Rear-end Crashes – 14.1 Percent
It’s a documented fact that people who are under the influence of alcohol tend to have slower reaction times. Therefore, they may not be able to stop when they need to and crashes ensue as a result. - Ran Off the Road – 11.5 Percent
There are many roads in Alaska that are winding and curvy in nature, and everyone understands how dark it can get here. That only makes it easier for someone who does not have a clear head to run off the road. - Pedestrians & Bicycles – 6.7 Percent
People who are intoxicated while behind the wheel have trouble recognizing things for many reasons. This only makes these situations more dangerous for those who do not have the size of other vehicles.
Any of these common types of alcohol or drug-related crashes can be traced to a lack of awareness from the driver involved. That’s what happens when someone makes the terrible mistake of getting behind the wheel of a vehicle after consuming some form of mind-altering intoxicant. If you or someone you love has been harmed in this manner, you need to contact the Alaska injury lawyers at Barber and Associates, LLC as soon as possible to schedule a free initial consultation.