DUI related deaths on rise despite ride-share options
DUI-related accidents are a sight that have been all too common in the past few weeks here in the Coachella Valley. Monday night, police say a suspected drunken driver was arrested after causing a four-car crash in Indio that injured 14 people, leaving four in critical condition.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration about 10,265 people died from DUI-related crashes. That’s 300 more than the year before.
“I just think people think that they are OK when they are driving you know. I’ve probably been guilty of that more than I should but you realize after a couple times that, you know I shouldn’t be doing this,” Don Levin said.
Over the holiday weekend, the California Highway Patrol in Indio CHP said 9 of 15 drivers stopped over the holiday weekend were arrested for suspected drunken driving. They presented a danger, some drivers said should be on a downward trend.
“Nowadays, you can avoid it a lot more than before so hopefully it’ll be less. I think that’s kind of the idea with all the options now so hopefully that will happen,” Spencer Levin said.
Some people said drivers who go out for a night of drinks have zero excuses to get behind the wheel, now, that a ride to pick you up is as easy as a few taps on your phone. In an effort to curb inebriated drivers, American Cab is offering free rides throughout the Coachella Valley when drivers call dispatch at (760) 300-0000 and mention “Home Safe”.
