Blog Topic

Talladega Nights = County Jail Mornings
Posted by: Zach Peagler
January 24, 2009

Talladega Nights

A good friend of mine and fellow lawyer sent me the following eye-opening articles: http://www.dailyhome.com/news/2007/dh-localnews-1009-cnorwood-7j08v1304.htm and http://starpolice.blogspot.com/2007/04/bumper-to-bumper-leaving-talladega-can.html regarding the staggering amount of arrests that take place every spring and fall at the two NASCAR races in Talladega, Alabama. At the fall 2007 race, it appears that over 800 people were either arrested or cited with a traffic violation stemming from the race festivities! 87 DUIs issued by Alabama State Troopers that weekend! The second article notes that 150 people were arrested for DUI at the spring 2006 race!

This is real scientific data directly linked to the theory that it is impossible to round up enough sober drivers for 200,000 NASCAR fans. On the bright side for us lawyers, these two weekends could keep us in business for a year. That's not a bad deal for me, work two weeks and off fifty...

In all seriousness, it appears that we've been lucky in the past, considering that many intoxicated drivers on the road have not caused more accidents. I would not be surprised if law enforcement did not start setting up check points just outside the race grounds in the future to prevent drunk drivers from reaching Alabama's major highways. (And you thought traffic was bad at the race before!) If you're headed to Talladega this spring or fall, as many of my friends do every year, be careful... not just to avoid a DUI, but from the standpoint of keeping the roads safe. BUT, if you don't head my advice... give me a call Monday morning.

Drive Safe,

Zach

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