Drunk driving has reached epidemic proportions in the Commonwealth of Virginia, especially in Virginia Beach and Norfolk. Estimates show the area sees approximately 2,300 drunk driving arrests each year, many of which are made after the impaired motorist has caused a Norfolk car accident. These individuals account for roughly 10 percent of all Driving Under the Influence (DUI) arrests in the commonwealth and give the area the title of having the highest total number of DUI arrests.
These numbers leave many citizens wondering what is being done to address this problem and there seems to be a solution being put into place. According to an article from WAVY 10 News, the District Attorney’s office has vowed to prosecute every DUI case that comes across their desk beginning on June 30.
Typically, first-time offenders can have their case settled out of court in order to allow more focus to be placed on other cases involving repeat offenders or drunk drivers who kill or injure other motorists; however, every offender will now have a day in court before the judge.
In order to accommodate the approximately 1,400 extra drunk driving cases per year the area will see, a courtroom will be dedicated to prosecuting these cases. The District Attorney’s office is also working to raise awareness of their policy change through a public service announcement airing on local television stations and a Public Safety Night that will be held on June 27 at 7 p.m. at Mount Trashmore.
Our team of Norfolk personal injury attorneys with Lowell “The Hammer” Stanley has seen the devastating results of accidents caused by drunk drivers. That’s why we applaud these changes and encourage anyone who has been harmed by an intoxicated motorist to speak with us about the compensation you may be entitled to.
