According to “Drunken driving, and motorcycle deaths decline” by Gary Richards in the Daily Democrat, deaths caused from drunk driving and motorcycle crashes have declined in California. He believes that in addition to harsher laws, better enforcement, and stronger public awareness outreach, the economic downturn has also had an impact. People are staying home to drink rather than spending money at bars and having parties or tailgates. They may also be less apt to buy a motorcycle or to take weekend road trips up the coast that cost money.
Dairyland Insurance specializes in motorcycle insurance along with their auto policies. It is possible that lower death rates caused by fewer crashes could help to decrease insurance rates nationwide. DUI’s now stay on your record for 10 years instead of 7 and some counties are running trial programs where even first time offenders will have to blow into a breathalyzer before the ignition on their car will start. Whatever it takes to get people to be more careful on the roads means fewer crashes and less money that insurance companies are paying out. And a lower death rate is good for everyone on the roads.
