How Many Fatalities Are Associated With Drunk Driving?

How Many Fatalities Are Associated With Drunk Driving? 

Drunk driving is a major cause of fatal car crashes and injuries throughout the United States. Each year, thousands of people lose their lives in accidents involving drunk drivers. 

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  In the United States, it is illegal to drive under the influence of alcohol (DUI) or drugs. The legal consequences of drinking and driving can include fines, jail time, or even a permanent license suspension. 

One of the most important reasons for this is that alcohol impairs a person’s ability to safely operate their vehicle, which leads to an accident. It also causes a person to have less focus and coordination than they normally would while driving. 

It’s hard to say exactly how many fatalities are associated with drunk driving in the United States because it varies from state to state and age group to age group. However, it’s estimated that around 29 people die every day in drunk driving crashes across the country. 

The majority of these deaths are males. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that men are involved in more than 80% of all alcohol-related traffic accidents. 

Drivers under 21 are the most at risk for drunk driving. According to NHTSA data, young drivers are responsible for 27% of all fatal alcohol-impaired driving crashes. 

College students are another high-risk demographic for drunk driving. Each year, almost 2,000 college-aged students die in unintentional drunk driving accidents. 

Teens are also at an increased risk for drunk driving. In fact, a recent survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revealed that 6% of teens surveyed admitted to driving while intoxicated within the past 30 days. 

The most popular alcohol-impaired driving time is nighttime. In 2018, 69 percent of all drunk driving crashes occurred in the dark. 

Weather is also a factor in some of these accidents. In 2018, 89 percent of all fatal crashes involving alcohol occurred during clear/cloudy conditions, eight percent in rainy conditions, and three percent in other conditions. 

Summertime is another big risk season for drunk driving. In 2019, a total of 53% of all drunk driving-related crashes happened during the summertime. 

Wintertime is the next most dangerous time for drivers to be intoxicated. In 2018, a total of 61% of all alcohol-related crashes happened during the wintertime. 

Holidays are always a risk, but New Year’s Day is especially dangerous for drivers. In the United States, there are an average of 116% more alcohol-related traffic accidents on New Year’s Day than on any other day of the year. 

This is because the holidays are often accompanied by social events that may cause people to consume more alcohol than usual. These include parties and concerts. 

As you can see, the number of drunk driving-related fatalities has decreased over the years, which is a great thing to see. Nevertheless, there are still a lot of drunk drivers on the road and that’s why it is so important to remain sober while on the road.