Wesley, McGrail & Wesley
The Fourth of July is a time to celebrate the country's freedom, but it's also a time that can be extremely dangerous for people near Fort Walton Beach. The Fourth of July has several serious hazards that can result in car crashes, injuries and deaths.
For example, drinking is common on the Fourth of July, just as fireworks and spending the day in the sun are. Each of these actions has their own risks, though.
Imagine having a night out with friends. You drew the short straw to be designated driver, so everyone piled into your car and you set off for an evening of dinner, drinks and dancing. Halfway through the night, as you were shuttling everyone to the next bar, a police officer pulled you over. You knew you were safe from a driving while intoxicated charge since you had not had a drop of alcohol, so it came as an unexpected shock when the officer put you in handcuffs and tossed you in the backseat of a squad car. The police had found a bag of marijuana in your car.
Drug possession charges can come with very serious, life-long consequences. Fortunately, there are defenses available that may help you to successfully fight a drug possession charge. An experienced criminal defense attorney in the Fort Walton Beach area can help you build a defense so that you challenge the charges in court. Read further for more information about possible drug possession defenses.
As soon as the lights flash in your rear-view mirror, you know you've made a mistake. You had a little bit to drink. You didn't think it was enough to stop you from driving home. You don't even know if you are actually over the legal limit, but you're about to find out.
Driving under the influence can often be tempting. It's not that you want to put yourself or anyone else in danger, but it's convenient and easy to convince yourself it's all right. Below are five reasons that people do it:
It’s spring time, which means that more police officers are out there patrolling the roads. With more police on the roads on the lookout for drunk drivers and those exhibiting erratic behavior, you’re more likely to experience a traffic stop.
While many traffic stops end without incident, some result in a ticket or even an arrest and criminal charges. When you are in the middle of the traffic stop, it is not always easy to keep cool and maintain composure. With a little preparation, you can ensure that you know just what to do next time you get pulled over.
Semitruck drivers have to pay keen attention to the roadway. These large trucks are very heavy and are akin to projectile weapons when they are moving along. Distracted truckers can cause crashes that kill or injure innocent people on the roads. Consider these important points if you are sharing the road with semitruck drivers who might be driving distracted.
Everyone knows that distracted driving is a big no-no, but how many people actually think that they will wind up dead because they took a bite out of a burger or switched the radio station while driving? Most people don't consider those actions to be life-threatening. But the truth is, that momentary distraction can indeed be deadly.
Below are the top five deadliest distractions behind the wheel, according to one survey.
You never saw the pickup truck veering into your lane. All you know is that your minivan was hit and now you have to worry about how you are going to help your children recover from their injuries while you are trying to recover from your own injuries. As you get out of your vehicle, you notice that the other driver has a burger in one hand and a phone in the other. Now you wonder if that had anything to do with him coming over into your lane.
Texting, talking on the phone, reading behind the wheel, and even eating are things you've seen other divers in the lane next to you do at one time or another.
Forty-five states have outlawed texting while driving, and since approximately 87 percent of drivers have admitted to texting and driving, it seems only a fraction of people adhere to those laws.
In June of 2015, Florida unveiled a safety campaign to address the problem of distracted driving. In an effort to encourage drivers to pull over in order to use their phones, the state has introduced "Safe Phone Zones" which include designated rest areas and welcome centers.
While Florida has provided more safe zones than any other state, there were still almost 46,000 distracted driving accidents last year. This was up from a reported 39,036 accidents in 2013.
Florida law enforcement has kicked off its Ticketing Aggressive Cars and Trucks, or TACT, campaign, which runs through Oct. 20. The goal is to put a stop to dangerous, aggressive behavior on the roadways, including:
Law enforcement will be looking for drivers of both passenger vehicles and large trucks who are driving aggressively and causing hazards.
The Florida Highway Patrol said the yearly campaign is more important than ever because it comes after federal data showed that fatal highway accidents are on the rise nationally. In fact, the number of deaths in 2015 was the highest it has been since the 1960s, which has safety experts concerned.
Many fatal accidents are caused by the factors being targeted in the campaign. These behaviors can be especially dangerous when tractor trailers and large trucks are involved.
Wesley, McGrail & Wesley PLLC
88 Eglin Parkway NE
Fort Walton Beach,
FL
32548
Toll Free:
866-445-5849
Phone:
850-226-5051
Fax:
850-244-0973
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