What Percentage Of Car Crashes Are Caused By Drunk Driving?

What Percentage of Car Crash Fatalities Are Caused by Drunk Driving? 

Drunk driving is a leading cause of fatal car crashes and traffic fatalities. Statistics show that over 50% of all traffic fatalities result from alcohol-impaired driving. These statistics also show that repeat offenders are most likely to be involved in fatal crashes. However, the number of fatal crashes caused by drunk driving can vary by state. In the United States, Montana has the highest rate of alcohol-related crashes, with 88 alcohol-related deaths recorded in 2018. The second highest rate is found in South Carolina and Wyoming, while the District of Columbia has the lowest rate in the country, with 0.77 deaths per 100,000 people. However, other states have higher rates, with fatalities rising steadily in the last few years. 

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BAC for driving safely is 0.08% 

While 0.08% is a low limit, you shouldn’t drink and drive. Your BAC can increase your chances of being involved in an accident. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, you shouldn’t be driving after drinking two or three drinks. However, even if you’re below this limit, you may still be impaired. 

Driving with a high BAC will impair your judgment and coordination. This can cause you to have difficulty judging other drivers and other traffic rules. It will also impair your muscle control and balance. You’ll also be less able to pay attention to the road. 

Drunk driving causes over 50% of all traffic fatalities 

Alcohol-impaired driving is a serious problem that continues to increase in the United States. In 2016, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that over 10 thousand people were killed in drunk driving crashes. According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), over half of those fatal crashes involved a driver who was impaired. 

While most of these crashes are the result of the driver being intoxicated, a significant portion of those involved is passengers. In 2013, over 120,000 young people were treated in emergency rooms due to drunk driving. This number increased four years later. In 2017, two out of every five drunk driving crashes involved a driver between the ages of 21 and 34. 

Repeat offenders are most likely to be involved in drunk driving accidents 

Repeat offenders are more likely to be involved in drunk driving accidents than first-time offenders. This is because repeat offenders tend to have more previous drunk driving convictions, making them more likely to be involved in fatal crashes. These drivers also tend to be older, drive older vehicles, and wear fewer seat belts. They are also more likely to crash in rural areas. Repeat offenders have also been found to be more likely to be involved in fatal crashes, and the risk of them being involved in a fatal crash is even greater. In one study, 12 percent of the fatal drunk drivers had a previous DWI conviction. 

Although it is difficult to determine which drivers are repeat offenders, many states report on the number of repeat offenders. For example, a study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that about one-third of all drivers arrested for DWI had a prior conviction. Further, drivers with a blood alcohol level of.08 or higher were four to eight times more likely to be involved in a fatal drunk driving accident. Repeat offenders are a serious threat to themselves and other drivers. That’s why research has focused on the factors that contribute to reoffending. 

Number of fatalities caused by alcohol-impaired driving 

The number of fatalities attributed to alcohol-impaired driving increased nationwide between 2015 and 2016. Thirty-nine states saw decreases in the number of alcohol-impaired crashes, while 29 states saw increases. The largest decrease occurred in Mississippi, where there were 49 fewer fatalities than in other states. The highest increase was seen in California, where the number of alcohol-impaired crashes increased by 80 percent. 

The most common types of crashes involving alcohol-impaired drivers are passenger cars and motorcycles. Heavy-duty trucks accounted for the least amount of alcohol-impaired crashes. Light-duty trucks and motorcycles accounted for the highest number of fatal alcohol-impaired crashes. However, children are particularly vulnerable to alcohol-impaired driving crashes.