How Many Car Crashes Are Caused By Drunk Driving?
How Many Car Crashes Are Caused by Drunk Driving?
According to statistics, about one-third of car crashes are caused by drunk drivers, although most are not. Repeat offenders are more likely to cause a fatal crash than drivers who have not been convicted of drunk driving. In one study, 29 percent of convicted drunk drivers were repeat offenders. This study also revealed that repeat offenders had 1.8 times the risk of being involved in a fatal crash than non-convicted drunk drivers.
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Alcohol-impaired drivers cause 147 million car crashes in 2018
Alcohol-impaired driving is a major cause of fatal car crashes. Every 50 minutes, someone dies in a car crash involving an alcohol-impaired driver. The United States recorded 10,511 alcohol-impaired-driving fatalities last year, which accounted for 29 percent of all fatal crashes. Of the 10,511 alcohol-impaired crashes, 6,364 involved at least one driver with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of.08 grams per deciliter. These drivers were responsible for the deaths of 2,969 motor vehicle occupants and 1,178 non-occupants.
29% of all traffic fatalities are caused by impaired drivers
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 29% of traffic fatalities are caused by impaired drivers. In fact, in the United States, drunk drivers are responsible for over 10,000 deaths each year. While the percentage of drunk drivers has decreased a bit in recent years, the death rate remains high. Alcohol is the leading cause of death in crashes.
Holiday fatalities in alcohol-related crashes
The holiday season brings a surge in traffic, which leads to an increase in alcohol-related crashes. Drivers are more likely to indulge in social binge drinking during this time, which increases the risk of drunk driving. Many state highway patrol departments publish holiday fatality statistics each year. Alcohol-related crashes account for approximately 25,000 injuries and fatalities during the Thanksgiving-New Year period. A third of holiday fatalities are caused by drunk drivers.
Repeat offenders
Repeat offenders in car crashes caused by drunk drivers are a scourge for law-abiding citizens. These drunk drivers cause accidents that result in injuries and sometimes fatalities. While avoiding bad weather, adhering to speed limits, and avoiding distractions while driving can help prevent collisions with drunk drivers, they aren’t enough.
Single-vehicle crashes
The majority of automobile accidents involve more than one person, but sometimes a single vehicle is involved. This can happen when one driver becomes impaired and loses consciousness. Distracted driving can also be a factor, such as texting while driving or fumbling with something on the vehicle’s floor. In some cases, a single-vehicle accident may be the result of mechanical failure. In such cases, the driver responsible for the accident must pay for the damage caused to the other vehicle and the injuries caused to the driver.
Increase in fatalities in Asian and Native American communities
While the statistics on fatal crashes are largely consistent throughout the United States, there have been noticeable differences between Asian and Native American communities. For example, Native American and Asian communities are less likely to drink alcohol than the rest of the country, which may account for the difference between the two groups fatality rates. Additionally, the percentage of non-occupant deaths caused by drunk driving is higher among Asian and Native American communities than in other groups.