North Carolina is a beautiful state, but it does have its problems. Among them is a risk of drunk drivers on the road, drivers being uninsured and fatal collisions.
A new report ranked North Carolina against other states to find the state with the worst drivers in the country. Luckily, the state did rank low at number 44. That places North Carolina in the top 10 states with the best drivers, with all factors included. However, that doesn’t mean all the drivers out there are safe. In fact, drunk driving is still a major issue.
How does North Carolina’s DUI rate rank?
Drivers are arrested for DUIs at a rate of around 136 people per capita in North Carolina. In 2018, the state ranked fourth overall in the nation for drunk driving rates, with statistics showing that there were 518.8 DUI-related arrests per 100,000 people.
What does that mean for the state overall? While other factors pulled the state’s ranking higher, DUIs are still a concern. The police may be increasing enforcement efforts in response to these figures, which puts everyone at a greater risk of being pulled over. It doesn’t take much to lead to a drunk driving charge.
What should you do if you’re accused of drinking and driving?
You aren’t a statistic. If you are stopped and accused of drinking and driving, you have the right to stay silent and to work with an attorney to protect your rights. During a traffic stop, understand that you may lose your license if you refuse a Breathalyzer test — but you don’t have to admit to drinking (and shouldn’t).
The wisest move you can make if you’ve been charged with drunk driving is to get some experienced assistance. A defense attorney can help you understand your options.