Latest Blogs

MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) reported that in the United States, in 2012, 10,233 died in drunk driving crashes, one every 51 minutes, and 290,000 were injured.  These are the statistics; here is one of the many stories of how driving drunk affected a family in the Miami area:

• At the Miami chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving Bree Ann Camacho shared her story of losing her younger, 13-year-old sister, Kaely in April 2012 when a drunk driver who was speeding slammed into her family's minivan.

Drunk driving is preventable. From controlling alcoholic intake to appointing designated drivers, there is a way to reduce drunk driving injuries and deaths.  For convicted drunk drivers, there are breath test devices that connect to vehicles' ignition systems.  These are called "ignition interlocks".  Mothers Against Drunk Driving is conducting a campaign across the country to have ignition interlock systems required in each state.  Florida has such a law:

Section 316.193, Florida Statutes, requires ignition interlock devices to be installed on the vehicles of certain persons convicted of DUI.

The ignition interlock program affects those arrested and convicted of DUI after July 1, 2002, upon eligibility of reinstatement for a permanent or restricted driver license. The ignition interlock device is also required when a driver convicted of DUI applies for a restricted license for work or business purposes (s. 322.271, F.S.).

If the person is otherwise eligible, a driver license will be issued with a "P" restriction indicating interlock device is required. The required time period for interlock officially begins on the day the "P" interlock restriction is issued.

Many of those who are involved in drunk driving crashes are teenagers.  Parents can influence their children and keep them safe from underage drinking, according to MADD.  Through their Power of Parents handbook, MADD provides the tools for parents and caregivers to have conversations with their children.  A free digital copy in both English and Spanish may be obtained by clicking on this link:  Power of Parents   

Hurt by Drunk Driver Attorney, Randall Spivey of Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. urges everyone with children to get the MADD handbook, and if they haven't already done so, start speaking with children about the dangers of alcohol and drunk driving.

Hurt By Drunk Driver Attorney, Randall L. Spivey is a Board Certified Trial Attorney – the highest recognition for competence bestowed by the Florida Bar and a distinction earned by just one (1%) percent of Florida attorneys.  He has handled over 2,000 personal injury and wrongful death cases throughout Florida.  For a free and confidential consultation to discuss your legal rights, contact the Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A., in Lee County at 239.337.7483 or toll free at 1.888.477.4839,or by email to Randall@SpiveyLaw.com.  Visit SpiveyLaw.com for more information.  You can contact Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A.in Charlotte County at 941.764.7748 and in Collier County 239.793.7748.