Tougher Penalties for Drunk Driving

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Drivers who have had one too many will face tougher penalties under a new law that went into effect on October 1, 2015. The law, which passed unanimously in Maryland’s General Assembly earlier this year, follows a scathing review by WalletHub investigators, which ranked Maryland as the fifth most lenient state in terms of DUI enforcement.

Drunk drivers involved in deadly crashes will now face a minimum license suspension of six months for their first offense and one year for subsequent offenses. First time offenders with a blood alcohol content of 0.15 or higher will have their license revoked for one year. If these drivers are caught a second time, they will lose their license forever.

The law also expands on existing penalties for intoxicated drivers involved in non-lethal vehicle wrecks. Drivers will now have their licenses revoked for up to six months depending on their level of intoxication and the number of prior offenses.

Last year, 141 lives were lost on Maryland roads due to drunk drivers, with an estimated cost to taxpayers of $747 million, according to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD.) Despite a dip in alcohol-related traffic fatalities in recent years, drunk driving remains a top safety concern. Nearly one-third of all motor vehicle deaths can be attributed to someone driving under the influence. On average, one person is killed by a drunk driver every 66 hours in Maryland. Many are hopeful that the new, tougher laws will discourage repeat offenders – saving lives and reducing drunk driving-related injuries.

Maryland Car Accident Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Obtain Justice and Compensation for Victims of Drunk Driving Accidents

If you have suffered a serious injury or death of a loved one in a drunk driving accident, you have a legal right to file a negligence or wrongful death claim. Maryland car accident lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton will fight on your behalf to recover compensation from the driver who caused your wreck. Contact us online or call 800-547-4LAW (4529) today to schedule your free consultation with one of our dedicated and compassionate Baltimore accident lawyers. Someone is available to take your call and address your concerns 24 hours a day.

Our offices are located in Baltimore, Columbia, Glen Burnie and Towson, allowing us to represent injured accident victims and their families throughout Maryland, including those in Anne Arundel County, Baltimore City and Baltimore County, Carroll County, Harford County, Howard County, Montgomery County, Maryland’s Western Counties, Southern Maryland and the Eastern Shore, as well as the communities of Catonsville, Essex, Halethorpe, Middle River, Rosedale, Gwynn Oak, Brooklandville, Dundalk, Pikesville, Parkville, Nottingham, Windsor Mill, Lutherville, Timonium, Sparrows Point, Ridgewood and Elkridge.