Serious injuries after accident: woman without a driver's license and drunk driving!

Serious injuries after accident: woman without a driver's license and drunk driving!

A serious traffic accident occurred on Sunday in Ried im Traunkreis, Upper Austria. A 34-year-old woman from Pfarrkirchen near Bad Hall was driving her Mini on the B138 towards Kirchdorf. At around 10:15 a.m., their vehicle touched a guide post on a road divider, left the road, fell down an embankment, hit a concrete wall and overturned. The car landed on its roof and the driver suffered serious injuries that required immediate transport to Wels Hospital. Because of her injuries, an alcohol test could not be performed.

The subsequent search of the vehicle revealed disturbing details. Police found empty beer cans, drugs and a fake Polish driver's license. It also turned out that the woman did not have a valid Austrian driving license, which indicates serious traffic safety violations.

Alcohol and the consequences of driving

Driving while intoxicated endangers not only the driver themselves, but also other road users. Statistically, the risk of accidents increases even if you are slightly under the influence of alcohol. According to the German Center for Addiction Issues (DHS), the risk doubles at 0.3 per mille, is increased 4.5 times at 0.8 per mille and 16 times higher at 1.5 per mille. In 2021, one in 16 traffic deaths was due to an alcohol-related accident, which impressively underlines the dangers. Compared to accidents without the influence of alcohol, there are 12 fatalities and 313 serious injuries per 1,000 accidents in alcohol-related accidents.

In Germany, there is a zero blood alcohol limit for novice drivers in their probationary period and those under 21 years old. If drivers violate this regulation, they must expect a fine of 250 euros and a point in the driving fitness register. From 0.5 per mille there are significant penalties, which can amount to a fine of up to 3,000 euros and a driving ban of up to three months. From 1.1 per mille you are considered absolutely unfit to drive; In addition to high fines, this also entails possible prison sentences.

Raise awareness of the dangers

Despite knowing about the risks of driving under the influence of alcohol, 31% of those surveyed in a survey said they had driven drunk at least once in the last year. Part of the educational work is to communicate more effectively the dangers associated with driving under the influence of alcohol. Losses in performance can occur as early as 0.3 per mille, even if your own feeling does not always reflect this.

The tragic accident in Ried im Traunkreis falls into this problem. It is hoped that this incident will help raise awareness of the dangers of drinking alcohol on the roads and serve as a cautionary tale about road responsibility. Hopefully it is not too late for the affected woman and her relatives to make the necessary changes.