As the number one aspect of ensuring that you are safely operating a vehicle, it is imperative that drivers refrain from driving under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol. Due to the fact that these substances can impair the way that you drive and put others in incredibly dangerous situations, avoiding all alcohol when you will be driving is necessary. Unfortunately there are millions of people in the world who do not abide by these standards and are the cause of an ample amount of fatalities in different cities around the globe. Drunk driving is not only a danger to the driver, but also to others who are located around them.
22 Facts About Drunk Driving
1. On average over 30 people in the United States die every day due to vehicular accidents where an alcohol-impaired driver is at fault. This total accumulates to approximately one death per 48 minutes.
2. There are over $51 billion in costs associated with car crashes related to alcohol on a yearly basis.
3. Over 10,228 people were killed in an alcohol-related car accident during 2010, approximately 31% of all traffic deaths in the country.
4. 1,210 of the victims in 2010 were children between the ages of 0 and 14.
5. 131 of these children were riding in a vehicle with a driver who was impaired because of alcohol.
6. Over 112 million people report to have operated a motor vehicle while drunk on a yearly basis in the United States.
7. Only 1.4 million of these people were arrested.
8. 34% of drunk drivers are between 21 and 24 years old.
9. 30% of drunk drivers are between 25 and 34 years old.
10. 25% of drunk drivers are between 35 and 44 years old.
11. Drivers who had a blood alcohol level of 0.08% (or higher) were 4 times more likely to have a previous conviction for driving under the influence.
12. Sobriety checkpoints help to stop approximately 9% of alcohol-related vehicular deaths annually.
13. There are over 300,000 drunk drivers on the road every day and only 4000 of these individuals are arrested.
14. Approximately 50% of drunk drivers who are responsible for vehicle fatalities also tested positive for drugs in their system.
15. Males have a 15.1% likelihood of driving drunk whereas women have a 7.9% likelihood of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol.
16. Drunk driving fatalities are 4.5 times more likely to occur at night (36%) versus during the day (8%).
17. Drinking at a younger age makes individuals 7 times more likely to be the offender of an alcohol-related vehicle crash.
18. Out of all of the alcohol-related crashes that kill teenagers, approximately ¼ of the fatalities are underage drinkers.
19. 50% to 75% of drunk drivers who have been convicted for drunk driving accidents will continue to drive even if their license is suspended.
20. Approximately 2 in 3 people will be involved in an alcohol-related car crash once in their lifetime.
21. A driver who has been arrested for drunk driving has driven approximately 80 times before their first arrest.
22. Drunk drivers who are fatally injured have an average blood alcohol level of .16.
Additional Drunk Driving Facts
When charged with the act of drunk driving, the charge can be called a variety of different names including:
• Driving Under the Influence (DUI)
• Driving While Intoxicated (DWI)
• Operating While Impaired (OWI)
• Operating a Vehicle Under the Influence (OVI)
In comparison to popular public belief, these offences are not only related to operating an automobile but also if you are operating an aircraft or a boat while under the influence of a substance.
Driving while intoxicated and with a dangerous blood alcohol level can have disastrous effects as the driver is at risk for car accidents, motor vehicle injuries and more specifically vehicular deaths. There are an ample amount of prevention measures that can be taken in order to prevent the use of motor vehicles while intoxicated which is why this crime is generally seen as inexcusable by the courts. In the event of a driver being caught operating a vehicle with a high blood alcohol level they may experience an ample amount of penalties including having their vehicle confiscated and their license revoked.
The largest issue associated with driving drunk is the fact that there are millions of innocent individuals who are affected by the act either because of the death of a family member or their own death. Drunk driving fatalities are all too common in various areas around the world and unfortunately it is an issue that is becoming more prevalent in younger demographics.
There are many instances where individuals who are responsible for fatalities in regards to drunk driving accidents are suffering from alcoholism, though in most cases it is due to irresponsible decisions. With that being said, it is imperative that when an individual is charged with a death in relation to an alcohol-related motor vehicle accident that they seek professional assistance. There are an ample amount of solutions available to both drunk drivers and the families that they affect on a daily basis.
DWI courts (also referred to as DUI courts or sobriety courts) have proven to be one of the most successful ways to help reduce the amount of drunk drivers on the road. The majority of these programs focus their efforts on repeat offenders by providing them with treatment in regards to alcohol abuse or alcohol addiction. With the use of this treatment, many individuals are able to refrain from operating a motor vehicle while drunk in the future. Other popular methods of reducing the chance of drunk drivers getting back on the road include:
• Revocation of licenses immediately after being arrested for drunk driving.
• Confiscation or impounding of license plates.
• Immobilizing or impounding vehicles.
• Implementing more alcohol awareness programs.
• Passing mandatory drug and alcohol tests.
• Installation of vehicle breathalyzers.
With the ample amount of drunk drivers on the road, not only in your country, but throughout the world, it is imperative that every driver on the road takes the necessary steps to ensure that they sufficiently protect themselves while driving both during the day and at night. Although avoiding an alcohol-related car accident may be relatively impossible in some situations, ensuring that you are paying attention to your surroundings could potentially save your life. Some useful tips to help you protect yourself while driving include:
1. Volunteering to be the designated driver for friends and family members when they decide to go out and drink.
2. Always make sure that the driver and passengers are wearing their seatbelts.
3. When driving at night, try to avoid rural roads and drive on highways with at least 3 lanes whenever it is possible.
4. Make sure that your airbags and other safety features of your vehicle are in working condition.
5. Never operate your vehicle while you are tired as the dangers associated with driving fatigued are the same as driving drunk.
6. Consider purchasing a safer car if you live in an area where drunk driving is prevalent.
7. Try changing your driving style if you are an aggressive driver as driving defensively is a much safer option.
8. If you notice that a driver is driving erratically, pull off to the side of the road and alert the local authorities – it is always better to be safe than sorry.