According to Statistics: Is Drunk Driving on the Rise?

Alcohol is well-known for being a danger on the road. While some people think a single drink is fine, that one drink can quickly turn into three or four, which means they should avoid getting behind the wheel.

All it takes is a delay of a split second and the consequences of a poor decision will be clear. Not only can they be life-changing, but sometimes life ending. If someone is involved in an accident after drinking, contacting a corpus christi drunk driver accident attorney is highly recommended. Keep reading to learn more about the dangers of drinking and driving and its impact on accidents here.

When Is a Driver Legally Impaired?

Drivers are considered legally impaired when their BAC or blood alcohol concentration is 0.08 or higher. There are some situations where lower concentrations may be considered impaired, as well. The negative impact of driving and alcohol can’t be overstated. Alcohol can significantly impact a driver’s vehicle to operate a motor vehicle safely, reduce reaction times, and impair judgment. The impact of this can be deadly, which is the top reason it is illegal for someone to drive when impaired -; in every state in the U.S.

The Impact of Drinking and Driving: A Statistical Approach

It is estimated that one alcohol-related death occurs every 48 minutes. Also, in 2018, it was reported that over 230 children, 14 years old and younger, were killed due to drunk-driving accidents.

Adults between the ages of 25 and 34 are the most likely demographic to get behind the wheel with a BAC of 0.08 or higher. Passenger vehicles make up about 43% of all crashes related to drunk driving. This is much more than motorcycles, vans, SUVs, and pickup trucks.

According to information from the World Health Organization (WHO), drivers of low- and middle-income countries are up to 69% more likely to suffer a fatal injury when they have an elevated BAC. In 2010 alone, the cost of drunk driving cost over $44 billion in damages and deaths.

Total Deaths Seen Annually Due to Drunk Driving

According to information from the NHTSA, one person dies in the U.S. every 50 minutes due to drunk driving. Also, drunk driving accidents are responsible for over 10K deaths across the U.S. every year. To date, drunk driving is considered the leading cause of traffic-related fatalities in about 30% of all accidents that occur.

The Impact of COVID on Drunk Driving

In 2019, there was a reduction in drunk driving accidents. Many believed this to be a positive step. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has made a mark on this statistic. It has caused these trends to surge once again.

In fact, by September of 2020, fatalities caused by drunk driving increased by about five percent compared to the same period a year before (in 2019). Even though the total number of miles that were traveled went down by 14.5%, the fatalities went up.

Handling a Drunk Driving Accident Case

If someone finds they have caused an accident after drinking, they should contact an attorney right away. This is someone who can help ensure the right steps are taken to help them overcome the charges and avoid overly negative consequences. Finding the right attorney matters, so be sure to put some time and effort into this important decision. Being informed is the best way to know what may happen.