How Many Fatalities Occurred Because of Drunk Driving?
When it comes to driving under the influence, there is no doubt that impaired drivers pose a risk to themselves and others. They are more likely to crash and have less reaction time than sober drivers. That is why it is so important for anyone that gets behind the wheel after drinking to call a friend, rideshare, or a taxi before getting on the road.
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When a drunk driver gets into an accident, the consequences can be devastating to their family and loved ones. Even the slightest error in judgment can result in serious injuries and death, causing a life-altering impact on the victim.
There are many ways that drivers get into accidents, but one of the most dangerous is when they have a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08 percent or higher. These drivers can cause a crash that could lead to the deaths of their passengers or other people on the road.
The CDC estimates that about 147 million crashes with fatalities occur because of a driver’s alcohol consumption each year in the United States. This figure is based on the number of vehicles and miles driven, so it may not be an accurate representation of all DUI-related accidents.
In addition to being dangerous for themselves and their passengers, driving under the influence also causes a lot of property damage. If you have been involved in an alcohol-related accident, you can file a claim with your insurance company to recover damages for any injuries or property damage.
Drinking and driving cost the United States a staggering amount of money each year. More than $44 billion in total losses and damages are associated with drunk driving, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Drunk driving is a major public health problem throughout the country and is largely preventable. In fact, since Congress raised the legal drinking age from 18 to 21, there have been 31,959 fewer fatalities and 50,000 fewer drunk driving-related accidents each year.
Holidays and Seasonal Risk for Drunk Driving
The Fourth of July and Thanksgiving are the two most likely holidays to result in fatal alcohol-related crashes. From 2005 to 2018, more than 4,200 crashes occurred on these two holidays, according to NHTSA.
While the majority of crashes that involve drunk drivers happen at night, they can also occur during the daytime. In fact, a fatal drunk-driving crash is nearly three times more likely to occur during the evening than at any other time of the day.
Teenage Drivers Are Often Among the Deadliest of All
Almost 2,000 teens under the age of 24 die from alcohol-related crashes every year. These crashes are often caused by binge drinking when a person consumes excessive amounts of alcohol in a short period of time.
College Students Are at a Huge Risk of Getting into an Accident
About a quarter of all drivers who are arrested for drunk driving are young adults, ages 21 to 29. This group is largely comprised of college students and young professionals, who often have access to alcoholic beverages at social events.