How Dangerous Driving Can Have Serious Consequences in Florida
“What did I do wrong?” are the words that drunk, 37-year-old Scott Patrick Sorenson asked Florida state troopers as they pulled him over after he led them on a high-speed chase upon seeing him going more than 140 mph on a busy, 45 mph roadway in Alachua County, Florida. Video footage from one of the troopers’ dash cams captured part of Mr. Sorenson’s dangerous dash, and during the peak of the video, Mr. Sorenson’s BMW is seen wedging in between two cars at a very high rate of speed while undoubtedly endangering the lives of multiple passengers. Eventually, the troopers escorted an obviously intoxicated Mr. Sorensen to the hospital, and he was then brought to Alachua County jail.
Drunk Driving Leads to Unnecessary Deaths & Makes Our Roads Hazardous
The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) recently announced that in the United States, 29 people are killed every day in motor vehicle accidents that have an alcohol-impaired driver involved. Most of us have been informed through family, friends, teachers, and the media that alcohol negatively effects our ability to drive; however, it never hurts to reexamine this to see how exactly alcohol effects our bodies and minds.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) provides a detailed chart which shows the relationship between blood alcohol concentration (BAC), the effects that are produced, and the predictable outcome(s) of these effects on one’s driving. As per Florida Law, if a driver has a BAC of .08% or higher, then they can be charged with a DUI if they are pulled over by a cop. To put this into perspective, the chart from NHTSA indicates that at a BAC of .08%, muscle coordination dealing with one’s balance, speech, vision reaction time, and hearing become poor, it becomes more difficult for one to detect danger, and one’s judgment, self-control, reasoning, and memory are impaired. Additionally, the NHTSA outlines the predictable outcomes of these impairments on one’s driving as: more difficulty concentrating, short-term memory loss, speed control, reduced information processing capability (ex: signal detection, visual search), and impaired perception.
Please review our article, “Sobering Statistics about Drunk Driving in Florida” to review more information about the legal consequences for driving drunk, the methods that are in place to combat drunk driving, and how we can provide assistance if you or a loved one are struck by a drunk driver.
Additionally, please contact us at The Eberst Law Firm if you or a loved one have been hit by a drunk driver, as we will work diligently to ensure that you receive a fair settlement for your pain and suffering.
Penalties for Evading the Police Worsen Depending on the Severity of the Crime
Evading the police is not a meek undertaking, and it would almost seem that one would have to be driving while at least somewhat intoxicated (such as Mr. Sorensen) to even think about fleeing from the cops. This act does not go without consequences, and FindLaw outlines the consequences for those who flee the cops (with certain exceptions being made for people who are fleeing the cops while under a threat of violence or who are fleeing and can’t stop due to a health condition).
Misdemeanor Penalties
Not always, but misdemeanors can have the following punishments.
- Up to one year in jail;
- A fine of up to $1,000; and
- One-year driver’s license suspension.
Felony Penalties
Standard felony penalties include:
- Up to years in state prison;
- A fine of $10,000;
- One-year driver’s license suspension; and
- Impoundment of your car.
Obtain Legal Help if you have been Struck by an Intoxicated Driver or a Driver who is Fleeing the Cops
You will need the assistance of an experienced, dedicated attorney if you or a loved one have been hit by a drunk driver and/or a driver who has fled the cops. We have extensive legal knowledge and the power and determination to assist you with your case. At The Eberst Law Firm we are passionate about working for you to ensure that justice is sought and legal ramifications are delivered for reckless, dangerous behavior. Please contact us online or by calling 772-225-4900 so that we can begin our investigation today and help you work through this challenging time.
Sources for “You Can’t Outrun the Law”
https://mycbs4.com/news/local/troopers-hawthorne-man-crashes-bmw-into-vehicles-after-chase-exceeding-140-mph
https://www.cdc.gov/motorvehiclesafety/impaired_driving/impaired-drv_factsheet.html
https://criminal.findlaw.com/criminal-charges/evading-police.html
https://eberstlaw.com/2018/12/21/drunk-driving-in-florida/
https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drunk-driving
https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/florida-dui-dwi-33644.html
