Did you know that everyday 32 people in the United States die because of alcohol impaired driving accidents? In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration revealed that alcohol-impaired driving exceeded 30,000 cases in 2009. Drunk driving haunts thousands of people each year and leaves many seriously injured or killed. You may have even lost a loved one because of a drunk driver.
April is Alcohol Awareness Month aimed to raise awareness of alcohol abuse and encourage people to make healthy, safe choices. It opens a window of opportunity to address underage drinking, which is one of the reasons it held in April – the beginning of prom and graduation season. Statistics show that Prom-Graduation season – the months of April, May and June – is the most dangerous time for teens. One-third of all alcohol-related traffic fatalities involving teens occur during these months. During this time, more than ever, we need to unite to send a powerful message to teenagers. Get educated and talk to your kids. Don’t take the “not my kid” stand when it comes to alcohol use. According to Talk Underage Drinking, 40% of kids have tried drinking alcohol by the 8th grade. Keep in mind that 8th graders are usually no older than 14 years old. These are critical years; they are fighting peer pressure. If you don’t talk to your kids, someone else will and it might not be the message you want them to hear. Teach them to think before they drink – think about the consequences and think about the long-term effects of alcohol abuse.
Lawsuit Financial suggests everyone take a minute to remind themselves and others, especially your kids, about the dangers of drunk driving—you could just save a life. To learn more about driving impaired and what steps you can take to improve your own behavior and influence that of others, visit: www.nhtsa.gov/Impaired.
Mark Bello has thirty-three years experience as a trial lawyer and twelve years as an underwriter and situational analyst in the lawsuit funding industry. He is the owner and founder of Lawsuit Financial Corporation which helps provide legal finance cash flow solutions and consulting when necessities of life litigation funding is needed by plaintiffs involved in pending, personal injury litigation. Bello is a Justice Pac member of the American Association for Justice, Sustaining and Justice Pac member of the Michigan Association for Justice, Business Associate of the Florida, Tennessee, and Colorado Associations for Justice, a member of the American Bar Association as well as their ABA Advisory Committee, the State Bar of Michigan and the Injury Board.
