As we discussed in our last post, drunk driving accidents tear apart the lives of countless American families each year.

The state of Connecticut took action in the prevention of drunk driving accidents last year b y adopting legislation that improves the state’s law requiring all drunk driving offenders to install ignition interlock devices on their vehicles.

Mother Against Drunk Driving reported that the new legislation was expected to require more than 6,500 first-time DUI offenders who receive diversion instead of a conviction to install the ignition interlock devices, which require drivers to pass a breathalyzer before their vehicle will start.

But even with the new legislation, drunk driving accidents will likely still be all too frequent in the state. In some cases, drunk drivers are never caught until they cause in accident, while in others, drunk drivers find a way around the laws that are meant to keep the public safe.

When these tragic accidents do occur, drunk drivers can be held criminally and civilly responsible for the damage they cause. That means in addition to possibly facing criminal charges such as vehicular homicide, drunk drivers can also face wrongful death claims filed by the families of the victims.

If the drunk driver was over-served at a bar or restaurant prior to the drunk driving accident, Connecticut law also makes it possible for the victim’s family to pursue a civil claim against the establishment for damages.

As you can see, there are many ways in which the law is attempting to prevent fatal drunk driving accidents, but the problem will likely persist until every Connecticut driver understands the risks involved with driving impaired and the lives they are putting in jeopardy.