According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 29 people become fatal victims of alcohol-impaired driving in the United States, EVERYDAY. This statistic should startle you, as it is incredibly tragic and 100% preventable. More alarmingly, it adds up to an average of 1 death every 50 minutes.
Drunk driving is a terrible and life-threatening crisis in our country, and continues to take the lives of innocent men, women, and children, every single day. Perhaps learning the truth about alcohol-impaired driving will help spread the word to never drink and drive, and ultimately, save lives.
Continue reading to learn more facts surrounding drunk driving motor vehicle accidents and fatalities, and then share your knowledge with those around you to support the initiative to stop alcohol-impaired driving.
Shocking Drunk Driving Statistics for 2016
More than 10,000 people lost their lives to drunk driving. This total added up to 28% of all traffic-related deaths in the United States.
Over 1 million drivers were arrested for intoxicated driving, including alcohol and illicit drugs. These 1 million drivers only made up 1% of the total amount of self-reported incidents of alcohol-impaired driving for 2016.
A total of 1,233 children, infants to 14 years old, lost their lives in traffic accidents, of which, 17% (214) were caused by alcohol-impaired driving.
A 2017 Youth Risk Behavior Survey of high school students revealed that, within the past 30 days, 6% drove after consuming alcohol, while 17% rode with a driver that had been drinking alcohol.
Indiana Drunk Driving Statistics
Between the years of 2003 and 2012, a total of 2,210 people lost their lives to a drunk driving accident.
Nearly 1 in 3 fatal motor vehicle accidents in the United States involve drunk driving.
Drivers are deemed alcohol-impaired by law when they have a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or more.
In 2012 poll taken among adults, 1.6% people admitted to driving after having too much to drink in the past 30 days.
Fortunately, the rate of drunk driving fatalities have gone down as a result of steadfast efforts. Indiana now allows sobriety checkpoints and more to reduce the temptation to drive under the influence.
Support the CDC
These facts are all derived from the CDC website, an incredible organization that works toward protecting and saving lives. They are also a great resource for all kinds of free information on health, safety, diseases, conditions, emergency preparedness, and much more. Please continue to be supportive of the CDC!
What We Can Do About Drunk Driving
Spreading the message of the deadly and life-long consequences that come from intoxicated driving is a great way to encourage the safe driving movement. Talk to your friends, family, and children about the importance of drug and alcohol-free driving, and foster an ongoing open discuss for questions and learning.