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Most Southern Californians who will head out on vacation this Labor Day weekend will do so by car. According to the Automobile Club of Southern California, fewer people will take a vacation this holiday, with 2.32 million expected to travel versus 2.38 million who took trips last year.

Every form of transportation will see a decline, the Orange County Register reports, except trips by car. This holiday weekend, 1.89 million people will drive to their vacation spot, a slight increase over the 1.88 million people who drove to their destinations last year.

Airplane travel from Southern California will decline by 1.6 percent, with 282,000 people choosing to travel this way for Labor Day 2011. The top five places Southern Californians will visit are San Diego, the Central Coast, San Francisco, Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon. The Register’s news story reports that some people are choosing shorter trips or choosing to drive, according to the Auto Club’s vice president for travel products and services.

Of course, anyone who drives and fills the tank knows how much gas costs. Prices for a gallon of gas this Labor Day weekend are higher than any other Labor Day weekend except 2008, the Register notes. Gas prices in Orange County on Thursday were about $3.85 a gallon, 13 cents more per gallon than prices last week, and roughly 80 cents more than prices last year. According to an Auto Club spokesperson, gas prices have climbed all over the country over the last week, but California has seen increases of double digits.

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The news story explains that refinery issues are the supposed cause for the increase, which will force drivers to pay record-breaking prices. The most expensive gas price in California will be in the San Luis Obispo area, where a gallon will cost around $3.93, and the least expensive price will be in the Stockton-Lodi area, where prices for a gallon are roughly $3.77.

For all the drivers hitting the road this holiday weekend, be safe, don’t hurry, and don’t drink and drive. To help ensure safety on the road, the California Highway Patrol, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, and police departments have patrols out to look for drunk drivers. The Register reports that from August 19 to August 31, 544 people were arrested for driving drunk or under the influence of drugs. If you choose to drink, have a designated driver who will not drink. If you don’t have a designated driver, take a taxi or call someone for a ride.

If you are in an accident, you need support. AA-Accident Attorneys provides their clients the expert legal help to win results. You can feel confident that the car accident lawyer who represents you knows your concerns, and the issues you face with crowded roads, freeways, and highways that can lead to automobile accidents, motorcycle accidents, bus accidents, and truck accidents. The car accident lawyer knows these issues from the inside and out—as a legal professional and as a citizen who shares the road and lives in the communities.

AA-Accident Attorneys serves clients in many locations across the United States, and has a car accident lawyer to represent you in San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino, Orange County, San Fernando Valley, Ontario, Newport Beach, Los Angeles, Fresno, San Jose, San Francisco, Sacramento, and Las Vegas.

Originally published here.

One thing you should know about a DUI arrest is that every DUI case is different, each with their own unique circumstances.  When it comes to deciding the penalties for a DUI charge, the judge and/or looks at many factors.  There are certain factors, however, that can enhance a DUI charge in California including:

Having minors in the vehicle with you at the time of arrest Being under the legal drinking age (The legal age is 21 in most states.) Any prior DUI charges Causing an accident, injury, or death to other people Having a BAC (blood alcohol content) of .20% greater than the legal limit Speeding or reckless driving

In the state of California enhancements are usually added on when the charges are initially filed, but they can be added at a later time if the case is still pending and the enhancements won’t threaten the driver’s right to a fair trial. These additional allegations must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt or the sentence cannot be enhanced.  If you are found to be guilty of these additional allegations, you can probably see higher fines, longer jail sentence, longer mandatory DUI education, longer driver’s license suspension, and a more restrictive probation.

If you have been arrested for drunk driving and your case includes any one of the circumstances mentioned above, it may be beneficial to hire an experienced California DUI defense lawyer who specializes in DUI cases.  A lawyer can investigate your case and make sure that your right to a fair trial is upheld in court.

Originally published here.

According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), in 2006 there were an estimated 17,602 deaths as the result of alcohol-related accidents. This number constitutes 41% of the total number of all traffic fatalities that year. On average, every 39 minutes someone is killed in an alcohol-related accident somewhere in the U.S. Other statistics have stated that over a million people were injured in alcohol-related accidents last year. While it is tragic when the impaired driver is killed, it is even more so when an innocent victim is part of the accident. Families are torn apart, and the inevitable question of why was this drunken driver on the road is asked.

Unlike other vehicle accidents, drunken drivers make a choice when they get behind the wheel of their vehicle. People certainly have the right to drink alcohol, but when they get into their car, their right becomes the problem of everyone else on the road. Their choice can lead to the death or injury of unsuspecting people coming home from work, dropping kids off at a movie, or going out to eat. Probably something that doesn’t even register with those who have driven drunk before with no problem. If they made home the first time, what are the chances something will happen this time?

When someone has killed another in an alcohol-related crash, they may face charges of vehicular homicide, manslaughter, or second-degree murder. They’ll stand up in court, apologize for their actions, swear they’ll never do it again, and go on to serve their sentence. Those who have been injured, often seriously, or those whose family members or friends were killed, have to sit in the courtroom and hope for the best. For many, justice has been served. The accused will spend time in prison. However, those feelings of despair, anger, frustration, and more will continue with those who were directly affected, namely the immediate family.

Because a family member was taken from you through the negligence of another party, seeking the aid of an experienced personal injury lawyer is one of the steps you should take. If you or a loved one has been injured by a drunken driver, you may also make a claim for damages. Loss of wages due to injury or death, loss of benefits, medical bills, mental anguish, loss of companionship, debilitating physical injuries, punitive damages and more are generally covered by the law.

Due to the different statutes in each state, your claim will depend on the law there. This will also determine the amount of compensation you may receive.

Originally published here.