Utah Personal Injury Lawyer Reflects on Fact That DUI Related Deaths Rose Last Year
Driving under the influence is one of the most preventable crimes that injures and kills too many Utahns every year. It’s against the law, but sadly, the number of DUI related deaths rose last year. If you or a loved one has been hurt in a DUI related accident, call an accident attorney Utah residents can rely on for help with your case.
In the 10th annual DUI Report to the Utah Legislature prepared by the Utah Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice, DUI/alcohol-related fatalities in Utah increased from 25 to 39 from the 2011 to 2012 fiscal years.
However, while the number of DUI related deaths rose, the number of arrests for driving under the influence went down by almost 6 percent. This is the second year in a row for a decline in arrests. Kristina B. Otterstrom, a Utah personal injury lawyer at Shumway Van & Hansen, questions why there are fewer arrests although the fatalities have risen.
Interestingly, of those arrested, about one-third of the arrests were for repeat offenders, with 68 percent of arrests for a first DUI, 21 percent for a second, 7 percent for a third, and almost 4 percent for a fourth or more. If you have been arrested for a DUI, contact a Utah criminal attorney for help defending your case.
Gender was apparent in the arrests, as nearly three-fourths, or 72 percent of those arrested were male and 27 percent were female.
If you or someone you know has been injured in a DUI related accident, contact an accident attorney Utah can trust at Shumway Van & Hansen.