How Many Accidents Is Cause By Drunk Driving?
How Many Accidents Is Cause By Drunk Driving?
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, drinking and driving kill 28 people every day in the United States. That’s about one person every 52 minutes, and drunk driving accidents claim more than 10,000 lives each year.
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Drunk driving is irresponsible and selfish – it puts everyone on the road at risk of harm, including other drivers and passengers. It also damages our economy and increases car insurance rates for all.
There are several factors that contribute to the number of alcohol-related traffic accidents, including location and time of day. For example, nighttime DUIs are more common than daytime ones.
About 68% of fatal crashes involve a driver who is drunk, and 32% of those accidents happen at night.
While the exact cause of a drunk driving accident is difficult to pinpoint, many experts believe that factors such as the number of alcoholic beverages consumed, the weather conditions, and the driver’s age are all significant factors.
In order to reduce the number of alcohol-related driving accidents, some jurisdictions have implemented stricter laws for drivers who are under the age of 21, including ignition interlock systems that require a breath sample before the driver can start their vehicle. These measures are credited with decreasing the number of deaths and injuries in these types of accidents.
The percentage of fatal accidents involving an alcohol-impaired driver is highest for motorcycle riders, compared to the drivers of passenger cars and light trucks.
During 2019, about 10% of all fatal crash victims had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) that was.08 grams per deciliter or higher, the legal limit in most states. The amount of alcohol that it takes to reach this BAC depends on gender and weight, but on average, two drinks of standard pours is sufficient for most adults.
Younger drivers are more likely to be involved in a drunk driving accident than older drivers. About 42% of the drivers killed in these crashes were between the ages of 16 and 24.
College students are also a high-risk group for alcohol-related driving accidents, with about 2,000 of these individuals dying each year from such incidents.
The highest percentage of alcohol-impaired driving fatalities in the United States occurred on the Fourth of July and Thanksgiving, with almost 40 percent of all such crashes involving a driver who was over the legal drinking age occurring during these holidays.
These statistics are important reminders to be aware of the dangers of drinking and driving, and that there are serious consequences for committing this crime. First-time offenders may face steep fines, court costs, and a license suspension. Repeat offenders can spend time in jail and get a permanent revocation of their driver’s license.
Fortunately, there are many programs and campaigns that aim to educate the public on the dangers of driving under the influence. These include Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over and Saturation Saturday, which is sponsored by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD).