Drinking and Driving
From LoveToKnow Recovery
Drinking and driving accounts for a lot of damage to alcohol users, others around them and society in general. Most of us are unaware of exactly how much alcohol can be harmful, or even the effects of a single stiff drink. Read on to discover some hard drinking and driving statistics and truths you would do well to remember.
It Only Takes One Drink
Even one drink can affect a driver's reflexes and judgment. Abilities such as braking quickly, steering, changing lanes safely, and/or dealing with changing road conditions may be impaired. As blood alcohol rises, driving ability continues to decline. The legal limit for blood alcohol level (BAC) is the equivalent of about one drink per hour for women, or two drinks per hour for men, but everyone processes alcohol differently. Some people will be above the level sooner than others. For many people, a BAC below the legal limit is already dangerous.
Statistics
- According to the NHTSA, alcohol-related crashes kill someone in the U.S. every 31 minutes and injure someone every 2 minutes.
- 39% of all traffic fatalities are related to drinking and driving.
- An estimated 16,694 people died in alcohol–related traffic crashes in 2004. These deaths represent about 40 percent of total traffic fatalities for that year.
- The cost of alcohol-related crashes in the U.S. is about $51 billion each year.
- Alcohol-related crashes are more common on weekends. A high percentage of crashes during the overnight hours involve alcohol, too.
- Young drivers are more likely to be involved in alcohol related accidents. 25% of drivers 15 to 20 who died in motor vehicle accidents in 2003 had been drinking and driving.
- Elevated blood alcohol levels are found in about 30% of motorcycle drivers killed in crashes.
- Beer is the most common drink reported by people stopped for drinking and driving or involved in alcohol related crashes, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
- Deadly crashes can happen at low BAC's. Among drunk drivers who died in crashes in 2004, 27 percent had BACs lower than 0.15 percent.
Accident Prevention
Drinking need not become a life-threatening issue if you follow some simple do’s and don’ts. Try and remember these tips the next time you are drinking and keep yourself safe from potential harm caused by drinking and driving.
- Have a trusted designated driver. This person should agree not to drink any alcohol at all.
- Don’t consume any alcohol if you plan to drive. Many bars offer complimentary soft drinks to designated drivers.
- Refuse to travel with anyone who you think may be impaired. Encourage that person not to drive.
- Never ride with people you do not know or who you’ve just met. You can’t know exactly how many drinks that slightly tipsy guy or gal you just met may have consumed.
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