Who Does Drunk Driving Affect?
Even though drinking and driving are not socially acceptable, a surprising number of people still get behind the wheel under the influence. This is a bad decision that can ruin a person’s life. Besides the damage it causes to a driver, a DUI also hurts society at large.
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Statistics show that nearly one-third of all traffic-related deaths involve drunk drivers. A study conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) found that 35 percent of all traffic fatalities occurred in a crash with at least one driver with a blood alcohol content of 0.08 percent.
Several factors contribute to the high percentage of car crashes involving drunk drivers. Most alcohol-related crashes occur at night, while daytime accidents are far less common. The number of fatalities in alcohol-impaired crashes has decreased in recent years. The percentage of fatal crashes involving drunk drivers has decreased in half since 1982.
It’s important to understand that the number of alcohol-related fatalities in a given year is highly dependent on the type of driver and the time of day. In general, there is a higher incidence of crashes during the summer months. The resulting injuries in these accidents are often severe. The most common body parts injured in a drunk driving crash include the head, neck, and spine. These parts may take months or even years to heal.
Survivors of a drunk driving accident often suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, a condition that manifests as nightmares, irritability, and jumpiness. Those who survive a drunk driving accident are often considered lucky, but the emotional impact of the event can be long-lasting. Many survivors also suffer from chronic pain.
Another reason why drinking and driving are not socially acceptable is that they can interrupt a person’s life. A simple mistake can cause a person to lose their job and license. This can be very expensive, and the consequences can be felt for a long time. For instance, a first-time DUI offender could be ordered to pay more than $10,000 in legal fees.
The number of drunk driving-related deaths has declined over the past several years, but it is still a huge problem. Over 10,000 people are killed each year due to alcohol-impaired driving. It costs the United States $201.1 billion a year to cover the cost of alcohol-related traffic accidents. The majority of this money is spent on legal expenses, medical care, and property damages. In addition, the emotional and economic damage that drunken driving can cause is much greater than the financial harm.
Fortunately, many alcohol-related crashes are preventable. One way to do this is by establishing a minimum drinking age. These laws have been proven to save over 30,000 lives. Other methods include ignition interlocks, which prevent vehicles from starting if a driver is under the influence of alcohol. Besides preventing cars from starting, they also help to measure the level of alcohol on a driver’s breath.