How Many Drunk Driving Accidents Happen Annually?
Thousands of people die every year from alcohol-related crashes. Drunk driving is illegal in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. However, it is still one of the leading causes of car accidents. It also causes a hefty amount of damage to the economy. An estimated $44 billion is spent on these types of crashes each year. It is estimated that a drunk driver causes about one accident per hour.
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Drunk driving statistics vary by state. For example, New York has a 1.11 fatality rate while the District of Columbia has a 0.77 fatality rate. In addition, a driver with a BAC over the legal limit is seven times more likely to be in a fatal crash than a sober driver. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that drunk driving kills over 10,000 people each year.
The number of alcohol-related crashes is increasing and drunk drivers are putting their lives and the lives of others at risk. Drunk driving is a serious epidemic that needs to be addressed. It has been reported that 310 funerals are held each week for a person killed in a vehicle accident with a drunk driver. Alcohol-related motor vehicle crashes account for nearly 28% of all traffic deaths.
Despite the growing number of drunk driving accidents, the rate of fatalities is not decreasing. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported 11,654 deaths from drunk driving in 2020. This figure is up 9% from the previous year. This is even though the total number of people involved in motor vehicle crashes has been decreasing by 14% each year.
The CDC estimates that 30 people die every day due to drunk driving. These figures include those who are involved in the crash and those who are injured. In addition, the statistics show that the average person will be involved in a drunk driving crash in their lifetime. While the exact number of people who will be in a crash with a drunk driver varies by gender and age, it is estimated that roughly two-thirds of all drivers will be in a drunk driving accident in their lifetime.
The most common time for alcohol-related fatal crashes is during the night. Nearly 68% of these crashes happen at night. This is compared to only 3 percent during the day and 2% during the weekend. In addition, almost eight percent of these crashes occurred in rainy weather.
In addition, a large percentage of these crashes occur on rural roads. Approximately 44 percent of all alcohol-related fatal crashes took place in rural areas. Pedestrians are also a factor, representing 10 percent of all fatal crashes. It is important to note that drunk driving is a criminal offense in all 50 states. If you are charged with a DUI, you could face up to 2.5 years in prison for the first offense and up to 4.5 years for a second offense.