A crash on US 171 on March 2, 2018 led to the death of a DeRidder woman.
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DeRidder Police say that Suree Williams, 32, was pronounced dead at the scene at around 7:30 am. The accident happened when a westbound Chevrolet Equinox driven by Pamela Moses, 49, crossed the road and struck Williams’ Nissan Altima, which was traveling east. There were two minor children in the vehicle with Williams. They were transported to a hospital for treatment.
Police report that there was also a dog in Williams’ vehicle, and the dog too died from the impact.
The investigation is continuing, and the police say toxicology tests will be completed. However, the issue of impairment is not suspected as the cause of the accident.
In the state of Louisiana, drunk driving arrests dropped between 2010 and 2014, while deaths due to alcohol impairment and driving increased. According to reports from the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission, arrests across the state went from 31,004 to 22,860 between 2010 and 2014.
Meanwhile, there were 737 traffic fatalities attributed to alcohol in 2014, compared to 721 in 2010. The reason for the increase, according to LHSC, includes both job growth and lower fuel prices, meaning that drivers are on the road more and have more money to partake of alcoholic beverages before driving.
Cultural perception is a strong factor in these changes as well. Two decades ago, driving while drunk was not even looked at unfavorably by society. Things have slowly changed so the perception of getting behind the wheel after drinking has become a more negative decision by societal standards.
While impairment is a serious issue on today’s roadways, distracted driving takes a close second. It is currently illegal for anyone age 17 and under to use a wireless communication device while driving in the state of Louisiana. However, the law does not penalize those over the age of 17, despite studies that show cell phones are a huge distraction on the nation’s roadways. It is also important to minimize focus on things like turning up the music, adjusting the radio station or reprogramming the GPS. For those who want to see our highways safer for all drivers, it pays to keep these pointers in mind.
Lemon law attorneys help their clients by dealing directly with the manufacturer on the clients’ behalf, working to promptly resolve the issue and get their clients back on the road. Thanks to the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, attorneys can seek their fees directly from the manufacturer, meaning a client can obtain legal counsel without having to pay attorneys’ fees directly out of pocket.