Virginia (VA) road fatalities hit a nearly 45-year low in 2008, according to statistics released Tuesday by the Department of Motor Vehicles.
In more good new, the DMV data showed that all types of car accidents decreased by almost 7 percent from 2007 to 2008.
The bad news, predictably, is that too many people were still driving drunk last year, and too many of the accidents that did occur resulted in injuries. Injuries to motorists increased 0.45 percent during 2008, and 25,758 people tested after getting into an accident had blood alcohol contents above the legal limit of 0.8. This was a 2 percent increase in DUI rates.
The decline in the number of accidents in Virginia (VA) reflects an encouraging nationwide trend. As much as I want to see that downward trend continue, my 20-plus years of practicing injury law makes me know that people will continue being hurt on the roads. That knowledge renews my commitment to defending victims of accidents.
About the Editors: Shapiro & Appleton& Duffan personal injury law firm (VA-NC law offices ) edits the injury law blogs Virginia Beach Injuryboard, Norfolk Injuryboard, and Northeast North Carolina Injuryboard as a pro bono service to consumers. Lawyers with Shapiro & Appleton& Duffan are licensed in VA, NC, SC, WV, DC and KY. They handle car, truck, railroad, medical negligence cases and more.
EJL