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Please join us in saying "Thank You" to those who have served our country, and their family members who have so proudly supported them over the years.

Texting and Driving is one of the greatest threats to safe roads in Roanoke and Southwest Virginia.

Teens represent only 7 percent of the licensed population, but are involved in 20 percent of fatal crashes.

Motor vehicle injuries are the leading cause of death among children ages  3 -14 in the United States, which is extremely sad because many of these accidents can be prevented.  There are a few simple things that parents, family members and care givers can do to minimize these fatalities.

A circuit court jury in Fairfax County recently awarded $575,000 to a college athlete who was severely injured in an auto accident while on her way to an off-campus party.  The fraternity that provided transportation to the party was found liable for the damages.

Summer has come to a close, Blacksburg has filled back up with students, and I think we all know what comes next - FOOTBALL! The 2011 Hokie football season kicks off this weekend with a home opener vs. Appalachian State University in Blacksburg's Lane Stadium.  Needless to say, the students, fans, and alumni among us are extremely excited for what we hope will be a great season for the program.

With football comes a lot of good times, but unfortunately along with those good times can come a great degree of danger from drinking and driving.  Tailgating has become a large part of the college football experience, and while they can be great if enjoyed responsibly - there can be dangerous consequences.  The combination of sustained alcohol consumption and the good time nature of a sporting event can lead to some poor decisions on the roadways that carry serious consequences.

Studies show that the drinking and driving that surround college football games pose a serious public safety threat.  A 2009 University of Colorado study found that college football home games were associated with a 13% increase in DUI arrests in areas surrounding the games.  Additionally, a recent study by the University of Minnesota found that 8% of fans at college football games recorded BAC levels above the legal limit, with fans under 35 being nine times more likely to be legally drunk after the game than others.

There is nothing casual about drinking and driving, and no matter how good of a time you are having this needs to be taken seriously. As auto accident lawyers, we see the devastating effects of accidents caused by drunk drivers on a regular basis.  If you plan on drinking alcohol while cheering on your team this weekend - arrange a designated driver, call a taxi, or take public transportation.  Have fun, but be safe and understand the consequences of your actions can endanger everyone on the road, including yourself.

Children are unpredictable in nature and the responsibility is on the adult drivers among us.  Let's all do our part to keep our roads safe for the children of Roanoke.

A recent report taken by the Harris Poll shows that while almost all adults to drive recognize that it is unsafe to use a cellphone while driving, most continue to do so.

If you are the parent of a teen, please be sure to stress the importance of not texting while driving.

As Roanoke Auto Accident attorneys, we see the devastating effects of drunk driving all the time, and it is never easy to take in.  Don't wait until intoxication sets in to make the decision of how to get home, plan in advance.