Having a few drinks on a night out is a common activity for adults, and there is nothing wrong with that. Where problems may arise is if someone has enough to drink to become intoxicated and then attempts to drive. Most people have heard of the risks of drunk driving, but they may still engage from time to time.
Even if you never drink and drive, you could encounter someone on the road who does. A car accident caused by a drunk driver can have disastrous consequences. What you may not realize is the scope of this potential problem. The Centers for Disease Control compiles information on this very subject, and its findings show the risk is significant. Here is what you need to know about the problem of drunk driving in Wyoming and around the nation.
The shocking truth about drunk driving, by the numbers
The CDC estimates that 29 people lose their lives every day in a crash involving a driver who has consumed alcohol to the point of impairment. It costs the nation over $44 billion each year to deal with the fallout from these crashes. In 2016 alone, 28% of traffic fatalities involved alcohol. However, alcohol isn’t the only concern, as the CDC also found that 16% of motor vehicle collisions involve the use of some type of drug besides alcohol.
Despite public awareness campaigns, too many people choose to drink and drive. A Behavioral Risk Factor study conducted by the CDC in 2014 found an estimated 111 million episodes of drunk driving in a 30-day period among survey respondents. The numbers have dropped somewhat compared to previous years, but that still indicates a high number of incidences of drunk driving.
What makes a drunk driving crash more likely?
The CDC found several risk factors for intoxicated driving crashes. The younger a driver is, the more likely he or she is to have a drunk driving crash, with 27% fatal collisions involving drivers aged 25 to 34 with a Blood Alcohol Content over the legal limit of 0.08%. Motorcyclists and those who have previous convictions for intoxicated driving are also more likely to be involved in fatal crashes. People often assume they are safe to drive after a few drinks, but even two alcoholic beverages can impair one’s abilities.
These statistics are troubling, as they plainly show the dangers of intoxicated driving. If you or someone you care about has been hurt in a car accident caused by a drunk driver, you have every right to hold liable parties responsible for their negligence. An experienced attorney can go over your options and help you decide the best course of action.
