Safe driving is the responsibility of any person who decides to get behind the wheel of a vehicle. Unfortunately, not all drivers take this responsibility seriously. Driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs can lead to impaired decision making, which can lead to accidents. Worse yet, it's well known that drunk driving accidents can often be very serious. Personal injury, property damage and even death can occur. Local residents might like to know that Ohio has taken a stand against people who repeatedly drive drunk.
An Ohio registry of repeat offender drunk drivers previously had approximately 400 names on the list. However, with a recent update, the registry now contains 5,300 names of drivers who have had five or more DUI convictions in the last 20 years.
Prior to the update, it is estimated that only about half of Ohio counties had information in the system. The update now enables the system to gather electronic records instead of having to rely on the courts to send in information. A State Highway Patrol spokeswoman said the registry is now much more comprehensive than it was prior to the update.
Driving drunk is a serious offense. If you have been injured in an accident caused by a drunk driver or if you have lost a loved one due to negligence by a drunk driver, contacting an Ohio personal injury attorney with ample experience in drunk driving accidents can help you to understand your rights in regards to compensation. In some cases, you might be able to file a claim for damages related to medical bills, pain and suffering or medication expenses.
Source: Fox 19, "Ohio expands registry of repeat drunken-drivers" No author given, Dec. 29, 2013
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