Drunk Driving

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Drunk Driving
Articles on drunk driving providing
information, statistics and facts about drunk
driving. This section also includes news
stories on drunk driving accidents.
Drunk Driving Statistics
The habit of drinking and driving is the cause
of thousands of accident-related deaths that
take place every year. The drunk driving
statistics and facts presented in this article
should help us understand the gravity of this
problem.

Quick Fact!Motorcycle riders are known to be
involved in most number of drunk drivingrelated cases. Interestingly, the number of

drivers of heavy vehicles, like trucks, involved
in drunk driving is the lowest.An act of drunk
driving can be described as driving a vehicle
(including wheelchairs) under the influence of
alcohol. Drunk driving is the cause of 39% of
casualties in USA. In Canada, deaths resulting
from accidents related to drunk driving is
around 30%. Let us take a look at the drinking
and driving statistics through information
presented below.
Statistics and Facts on Drinking and Driving
Today, medical scientists are doing their best
to save people from different kinds of
diseases. However, it also observed that selfinflicted deaths resulting from different
causes including drunk driving are increasing
day by day. Many a time, innocent people
have to bear the brunt of reckless behavior of
drunk drivers. There are all kinds of rules,
regulations and laws in place to prevent
accidents caused by drunk driving. However,
it is observed that irrespective of strict
implementation of rules and regulations, the
problem of drunk driving has prevailed and
continues to affect the modern society.
Bringing about a change in the mindset of

people, and not just rules and regulations, is
the solution to curb this menace of drunk
driving. Driving under the influence of alcohol
is considered to be dangerous because it
significantly impairs mental and motor skills.
Technically, the offense of drunk driving
comes under the umbrella term, 'driving
under the influence' (DUI). Here, the term
'influence' can be used in reference with
alcohol as well as different kinds of drugs.
Accidents Caused due to Drunk DrivingFacts
on Drunk Driving in USAHere are some of the
useful drunk driving statistics and facts which
give us a fair idea of how this habit can harm
us.
• In the United States of America, 3 out of 10
people are involved in accidents related to
drunk driving at least once in their lifetime.
• The number of people who continue with
drinking and driving even after their licenses
are suspended ranges from 50-75%.
• In USA, accidents resulting from drunk

driving take place every 45 minutes.
• In 2002, 159 million drunk driving trips were
undertaken by Americans. Out of the 159
million trips, 10% were taken by people from
the 18-20 years age group.
• In 2003, around 275,000 people got injured
in drunk driving-related accidents.
• In 2006, 1.46 million people were arrested
for driving under influence of either drugs or
alcohol; it means, for every 139 licensed
drivers in USA, one was taken under arrest.
• In 2007, around 2200 people in the state of
California lost their life in DUI-related
accidents. This number accounts for 56% of
car accidents which took place in the state.
• In past few years, the number of women
getting involved in DUI cases is on a rise. The
percentage of women arrested in drunk
driving cases between 1997 and 2007 was
29%. This figure is 3 times greater than that
of the 80s decade - it was just 9% then.

• The year 2008 saw a 9.8% decline in
accidents in comparison to 2007.
• From 2011 to 2012, the number of arrests
associated with DUI in Arizona increased by
14%.
D.U.I. Warning SignDrunk Driving Facts - Youth
Under 21The fatalities associated with drunk
driving in the youth under 21 years saw a
gradual decline (of 71%) from 1982 (5,215) to
2008 (1,510). Setting up of the National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
brought about this positive change. In the
past 10 years, deaths of people under 21
years, caused by drunk driving have reduced
by 33%. However, even after this substantial
decline, around 3-4 people from this age
group die everyday due to drunk driving. One
of the latest reports compiled for year 2010
reveals that the death rate in America was 3
for every 100,000 people.
Installing the Ignition Interlock DeviceThe
ignition interlock device (IID) can play an
important part in reducing the number of

accidents associated with drunk driving. This
device requires the driver's breath sample as
the input. The IID analyzes the breath sample
on the basis of a pre-set blood alcohol
concentration (BAC) level. If the BAC exceeds
a certain level, the IID prevents the engine
from getting started.
Hardcore Drunk Driving FactsIt is observed
that hardcore drunk drivers fail to get over
their habit of drinking even after facing
several arrest; this kind of behavior of drivers
has been observed consistently for past ten
years. On an average, the blood alcohol
concentration (BAC) in hardcore drunk drivers
was found to be 0.15. The BAC of 68% drivers
arrested in 2008 was 0.15. Around 3% of
those involved in fatal accidents in 2008 were
convicted for 'driving while intoxicated' (DWI).
The DUI-related fatalities in 2007 and 2008
were 12,998 and 11,773 respectively. This
figure of fatalities for the year 2009 (till 27th
November) was 11,769. According to reports
of 2010, there was decline in number of
people killed in such accidents. In this year,
the total number of people losing their life

was 10,839.
Consequences of Drunk DrivingA study
conducted by the World Health Organization
(WHO) revealed that 1 out of every 50 deaths
in the world is caused by road accidents. Road
accidents account for most number of deaths
followed by childhood infections and AIDS.
Every year, traffic crashes lead to death of 1.2
million drivers, passengers and pedestrians.
Organizations like Mothers Against Drunk
Driving (MADD) are trying to create
awareness among people about the menace
of drunk driving. Their efforts have helped
save over 300,000 lives. The spirited efforts of
such organizations have helped in drastically
reducing the number of deaths. However, it is
people who drink and drive, if they voluntarily
get rid of this habit, can make the real
difference.
The drunk driving statistics presented in the
article give us an idea of the seriousness of
this problem. It won't take much to save
thousands of lives that are lost every year, if
only the drivers follow the simple rules

prescribed by the authorities. So the next
time you think of driving after drinking, don't,
lest you wish to become a part of the
statistics above.
By Shashank Nakate
Read more at Buzzle:
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/drunk-drivingstatistics.html
Most Common Causes of Drunk Driving
Drunk driving has been one of the major
reasons for road accidents. This article takes a
look at the causes of drunk driving, apart from
giving you some information on the steps that
have been taken to counter it.

Various researches and studies over the years

have found that alcohol consumption in
moderate levels is good for health. However,
when taken in excessive amounts, it has the
capability of harming the body, and driving
when you are intoxicated can be one of the
most precarious situations. The question we
are trying to answer in this article is why
people insist on driving themselves, even
though they can easily hire a cab or call
someone to drop them back. Well, it is wellknown that alcohol invokes the famous Dutch
Courage, in which a person gets a fake sense
of confidence and preparedness to encounter
any eventuality.
Under the influence of alcohol, one gets a
feeling that he would be able to 'handle the
situation.' This is because of the fact that
alcohol impairs the brain, resulting in poor
reasoning and judgment. People feel that
driving a few blocks would not be too much of
a task, and as they have managed before, it
would be no different this time around.
At parties, people end up drinking more than
what their body permits. They have an illconceived notion that refusing to drink more

may single them out from the group and
make them a subject of ridicule. Vomiting - a
body mechanism to get rid of excess alcohol
is perceived as the ultimate party disaster,
therefore, people look for methods to stop
themselves from throwing up. And when it is
time to go home, people want themselves to
be at the wheels.
Reports have pointed out that a large
percentage of people involved in drunk
driving related crashes is that of individuals
aged between 18-25. Teenagers are often
under a lot of pressure to indulge in these
activities, so that they can gain acceptance in
a group. Teenagers often drink as if they have
to prove a point to their friends that they have
the capability to ingest alcohol without
showing any signs of drunkenness. Competing
against one another on how much one can
drink also contributes to drunk driving, as the
impairment level varies from person to
person.
There are many people who look at drunk
driving as an adventurous activity, which only
the 'brave' can indulge in. They look at it as a

means to 'break-free' and ride their luck. It is
not as if they are not aware about the
repercussions that it can have, but the urge is
too hard for them to resist. This is one of the
most serious challenges in the fight against
drunk driving.
Fight Against Drunk Driving
Some steps have been taken to curb the
menace of drunk driving, most notable among
them being lowering the blood alcohol limit. In
many states, offenders are now made to face
the victim's family members. This move is
aimed at getting the offender to get a firsthand experience of what grief and loss he has
caused to others. States have also got tough
with establishments serving alcohol to minors
or to those who already have had 'enough'.
The SafeRides program has also helped in
taking an objective stance on the issue, where
volunteers offer their services to intoxicated
teenagers, by dropping them home. The
Students Against Drunk Driving (SADD) has
also initiated several steps to prevent
youngsters from indulging in drunk driving.

Drunk driving is not an issue that concerns a
certain section of society, as we all are prone
to being impacted by it. So, if you know
someone who has a habit of indulging in
drunk driving, please spread the word,
because you never know when it is too late.
By Rahul Pandita
Read more at Buzzle:
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/causes-ofdrunk-driving.html
Drunk Driving Facts
Drunk driving or driving under influence is the
prime cause of motor vehicle crash cases
which often leads to serious injuries and
death. Some quick facts and statistics on
drunk driving are covered in the following
article.

Addiction to alcohol has become a major
social problem. Driving under influence (DUI)
of alcohol has become one of the common
feature and cause of accidents today. As per
studies carried out by National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration (NHTSA) in 2006,
alcohol-related motor vehicle accidents under
influence of alcohol kills someone every 31
minutes and injures someone every two
minutes in U.S. alone. Drunk driving ruins
lives and this article will cover some facts that
will help open your eyes to the ill-effects of
driving under influence.
Statistics
Every year, in the U.S., about 600,000 and 10
percent - of all motor vehicle crashes
recorded by police department are due to
consumption of alcohol.
Nearly 40% Americans are involved in an
alcohol-related motor vehicle crash in their
lifetime.
It has been found that drivers with blood
alcohol content (BAC) of .08 or higher were
involved in about 10, 839 fatalities due to

accidents in 2009.
On an average, at least one alcohol-impaireddriving fatality occurred every 48 minutes in
the year 2009.
In U.S., each year, about 748,000 people
suffer injuries in alcohol-related traffic
crashes, an average of one person injured
every minute. About 40,000 of these are
severely affected.
Around 75% of fatal crashes that occur
between midnight and 3 a.m. involve alcohol,
says the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration.
More than half of the 1,300 child passengers
aged 14 and younger died in alcohol-related
crashes during 2009. About 14% of these
children were riding with a drunk driver who
had a BAC level of about .08 or higher. The
other 15% were pedestrians or pedalcyclists
who were crushed by drunk drivers.
In 2005, nearly 1.4 million drivers were
arrested for driving under the influence of
alcohol or narcotics (Department of Justice
2005). That's less than one percent of the 159
million self-reported episodes of alcoholimpaired driving among U.S. adults each year
(Quinlan et al. 2005).

Each year, crashes related to alcohol
ingestion in the United States cost more than
$80 billion.
It has been found by the Centers for Disease
Control, that an average drunk driver may
have driven on the road 80 times before he is
arrested.
Peck et al. 1995, and Beck et al. 1999 have
found that about 50 to 75% convicted drunk
drives will continue to drive, even with a
suspended license.
About 6000 people die each year, due to
crashes involving teen drunk drivers.
Groups at Risk
The percentage of male drivers involved in
serious vehicle crashes is almost double than
their female counterparts who have been
recorded at a BAC of 0.08% or greater. It is
against the law to drive with a BAC of 0.08%
or higher in most countries.
At all BAC levels youths are more vulnerable
to accidents compared with adult ones.
Young men under the legal drinking age (18 to
20) are found driving while impaired due to
ingestion of alcohol more frequently than any
other age group.

Studies have shown that heavier drinkers
usually prefer to drink at bars and other
person's homes, and at multiple locations
requiring shorter distances to cover after
consumption. Young drivers have been found
to prefer drinking at private parties, while
older, more educated drivers prefer bars and
taverns.
Beer is the drink of choice in most cases of
heavy drinking, binge drinking, drunk driving
and underage drinking.
Safety Belts and Alcohol
Approximately 12.8 percent of fatally injured
intoxicated drivers used safety belts as
compared to 33 percent of sober drivers kill in
crashes. The percentage of alcohol-impaired
drivers using safety belts involved in serious
crashes is significantly lower than sober
drivers.
Blood Alcohol Content (BAC)
Measurement of concentration of alcohol in
blood provides a common, standard platform
to measure and compare the levels of
intoxication. Alcohol Regulation Laws differ in

their limits from one state to another. While in
United States, 0.10% level is considered the
legal limit for safe driving for common carriers
and 0.04% BAC is considered for aviators;
countries like Russia, Norway, Poland, Sweden
permits the level of 20 mg/deciliter, while
countries like Australia, Argentina permits
0.05% level of BAC. In India the legally
permissible limit is 40 mg/deciliter, while
countries like Saudi Arabia, Malaysia,
Romania, and Czech Republic have
completely banned this.
The effect of alcohol absorption is gradual and
it depends upon the rate at which one
becomes drunk. As a person drinks faster
than the alcohol can be eliminated, more drug
accumulates in the body, which results in
higher and increased levels of alcohol in the
blood.
Preventive Measures
Effective measures to prevent injuries and
deaths from impaired driving include:
Strict enforcement of existing BAC laws,
minimum legal drinking age laws, and zero

tolerance laws for drivers younger than 21
years old.
Implementing compulsory blood alcohol
testing when traffic crashes result in injury
(National Committee on Injury Prevention and
Control 1989).
Immediate suspension of the driver's license
for people who drive while intoxicated.
Introduction of sobriety checkpoints.
Introduction of health promotion efforts which
can employ an ecological framework to power
economic, organizational, policy, and
community action.
As you can see, driving under the influence
(DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI)
causes grievous and life-threatening injuries
to all who are involved in a crash. If you
cannot control your drinking, avoid driving.
Those who think they need to drink in a party
should ask a sober friend or family member to
drive them home. Life is precious. It is in our
hands to curb this menace. Hope these facts
and statistics help you avoid driving under
influence.
By Jayashree PakhareLast Updated: 12/9/2011
Read more at Buzzle:

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/drunk-drivingfacts.html
How to Prevent Drunk Driving
How to prevent drunk driving? The following
article provides answer to this query. Read
on...

It is estimated that almost sixteen thousand
cases of death are reported each year in
America due to drunk driving. Alarming, isn't
it? Despite such horrifying statistics, many
people still indulge in driving under the
influence of alcohol. Little do they realize that
by doing so, they are putting their fellow
passenger's as well as people on the street's
life in danger. In fact, statistics reveal that half
of all the traffic accidents that occur are due
to drunk driving! That's why, it is high time

that steps are taken at all levels - individual,
government and community level, to curb this
menace.
Awareness
Plan campaigns against drunk driving, both at
the national and the state level. Through
these campaigns, people should be made
aware of the ill effects of driving while
drinking as well as the steps that they can
take to avoid it. For instance, people should
be made aware that if they are going to a bar
or to a party in a group, they should either
hire a driver to drive them back or one of
them should take on the responsibility of
others, by not drinking and driving everyone
else safely home.
Personal Responsibility
Nothing can be done in this direction, unless
and until people take on personal
responsibility. People should make it a point to
never let anyone drive in an intoxicated state.
If they know that someone, whether an
acquaintance or a friend has had alcohol and
he is not in the right frame of mind to drive,
they should arrange for someone else to drive

them home or should themselves take
responsibility of driving the said person home.
Formulation of Stricter Laws
Formulate laws, both at the state and the
federal level, to ensure that the menace
caused by drunken driving can be kept in
check. There should be stricter laws, such as
those who are caught driving under the
influence of liquor should be made to serve
time in jail. Invocation of license or
disallowing a person to drive for a month,
upon being caught driving drunk, are some
other laws that can be put into action.
Supervision
Drunk driving incidents are very common
amongst the teens. So, parents and teachers
should guide them on how not to indulge in
drinking. Parents should keep a close watch
on teen parties and get together, which their
children are organizing and attending. No
alcohol should be allowed at this age as the
law in America prohibits people below 21 to
possess or consume alcohol in any form.

Control
The liquor stores, restaurants, supermarkets
and bars should ensure that they do not serve
liquor to those who are below the age of 21.
As youngsters are more likely to binge drink
and take risks like driving while drinking, this
will prevent many untoward incidents related
to drunk driving. Also, if the bar or restaurant
staff feel that any of their guests is so drunk
that he is not in a position to drive back home
himself, they should take his car keys and
offer to call a cab for him or call any of his
family member/friend, to take him away.
Intervention
Sometimes, interfering in other's life can save
it! This is especially true in case of drunk
driving. So, if a person spots someone whom
they suspect is driving under the influence of
liquor, they should contact the police
immediately and give the authorities the said
vehicle's license plate number. This can prove
to be very useful to the authorities to ensure
the driver's as well as the pedestrian's safety.
Assistance
For those who are addicted to drinking, the

most important tip for preventing drunk
driving is to first get rid of this problem, join
alcohol anonymous and take therapy to treat
the same. As a person is able to control his
urge to drink alcohol, it will automatically
reduce his chances of ending up driving drunk
on the streets.
There is no doubt about the fact that drunk
driving should be prevented and put an end
to, at all costs. With the tips suggested above
and a bit of effort on the part of people and
the government, it certainly is possible!
Read more at Buzzle:
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/how-toprevent-drunk-driving.html
Teenage Drunk Driving Statistics
Read this article to know about the alarming
yet shocking teenage drunk driving statistics!
These statistics indicate how much care and
attention needs to be given to teenagers
when it comes to both drinking and driving!

As it is well-known to all of us that teenage is
a very sensitive stage! The excitement in the
fresh youngsters standing at the edge of
adolescence, overpowers their actions and
the ability to take right decisions! We all are
well aware of the thrilling excitement that we
had when we first got our driver's license and
the permission to ride our first owned vehicle!
The mind just wants to hit the road and feel
the rush of a speedy drive! Although,
inexperienced drivers, but the mind thinks
that the road is ruled by the teens. Apart from
rash driving, usage of harmful substances by
teenagers, which include smoking and
alcohol, is also very common these days! And
the consequences that one has to face with
the combination of these two are shocking
and alarming for many parents!
Drunk Driving Statistics for Teenagers

Mentioned below are some shocking teenage
drunk driving statistics, which although can
be highly disturbing, but are equally
important for you to know. Have a close look
at the drunk driving facts and figures
mentioned below.
As per the survey conducted by the National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration 2007,
more than 17,000 people died under the case
of drunk driving, 1/3rd of which were
teenagers aged between 15-20 year!
When it comes to teen deaths in road
accidents, 60% of the deaths are due to drunk
driving!
As per statistics, 522 kids under 14 years
were arrested in the same year, the reason
being, 'driving under the influence of alcohol'.
What is more shocking, is that out of these
522, 113 were under the age of 10!
As per a national survey conducted by
National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration, 70% of all the teenagers drink
alcohol!
In the year 2005, all the teenagers aged 1520 years, who were killed in motor vehicle
crash, 28% of them were under the influence
of alcohol!

When observing the gender specific cases of
drunk driving, it was found out that among
teenagers aged between 15-20 years, males
are ahead! In 2005, 12% of teenage female
drivers were involved in fatal accidents. The
figures doubled to 24% when it came to male
teenagers who were involved in fatal crashes!
Most of the drunk drivers, specially teenagers,
do not wear seat belts while driving! Of all the
teenage drivers who were killed in crashes
due to drinking, 74% were in uncontrolled
situations, as per a national survey conducted
by National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration
As per 2005 CDC Youth Risk Behavior
Surveillance, 28.5% of teenagers in high
school had ridden a vehicle, at least more
than once, while being under the influence of
alcohol. If not, then they were in the vehicle
which was driven by a teen under the
influence of alcohol.
Statistics also reveal that on an average, 8
teens are killed everyday due to drunk
driving!
A male teenager with a 0.05 blood alcohol
concentration is 18 times more prone to suffer
a vehicle crash, as compared to a non drunk

teenage boy. The figures rise up to 54 times
more for teenage girls!
So these were some shocking and alarming
teenage drunk driving statistics which are
very important to be known by both parents,
and the teenagers themselves! As parents
and guardians, you should pay special
attention to the habits of your teens at an
early stage so that things don't get ugly! Take
care of your teen and yourself!
Read more at Buzzle:
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/teenagedrunk-driving-statistics.html
Teenage Drinking and Driving
The following article reveals some startling
facts about teenage drinking and driving.
Teenage drinking leaves more than 5000
teens dead every year. Learn more about this
in the following lines.

Teen is an age where everything seems like
an adventure. Right from your first crush to
your first car, it feels like you've been born
again. It's also an age where girls and boys
suddenly think that they can take better
decisions for themselves. In some cases, this
thought turns out to be very mature, while in
some it causes damage. When a boy or a girl
reaches the teenage years, they want to try
everything that they were stopped from doing
when they were small, for instance; night
outs, going to late night parties, staying late
out, and the worst - trying alcohol. There's
something unique and weird about alcohol
that I still don't understand, people know it's
harmful but still consume it. Alcohol is one of
the first things that kids want to try when they
become a teenager. Young teens are unaware
of drunk driving facts, and the US being a care
free society, records more cases of teen drunk
and driving than most countries in the world.
Teens have an active social life, which means
every alternate day is party time. Most parties

are just incomplete without alcohol and
various types of liqueurs. Teens usually get
high on such occasions and drive back home
when they can't even handle the steering of
the car. Alcohol causes dizziness, poor
judgment and weak brain functioning of brain
cells which then causes a car crash. In 48%
cases of car crashes in the US, the driver was
found to be under the influence of alcohol.
With teenagers driving under the influence of
alcohol becoming a daily occurrence, it's time
we educate our children about teenage drunk
driving statistics and facts.
Information on Driving under Alcohol
The most serious consequence of teenage
drinking is early dependence. Many doctors
say that teens in America start drinking at an
early age of 15, and are 4 times more likely to
develop an alcohol addiction than those who
don't drink their first glass before the age of
21. With alcohol addiction comes another
problem which is drinking and driving, in the
year 2009 almost all fatal crashes involved
teens who were under the influence of
alcohol. Teens generally don't realize that

they are too impaired to drive, most of them
are just afraid to call home for a ride.
Regardless what the reason is, teens who
drink regularly often drive under the influence
of alcohol. Frequent alcohol drinking also
causes risk taking behavior and leads to the
consumption of other drugs.
Teenage Drinking and Driving Statistics
Why do teens take up alcohol? This question
can have a lot of answers; to be cool in front
of friends, to get adjusted in to a new life,
some thing's bothering them and the most
common they have seen their fathers drinking
many times. However, if you have a look at
drinking and driving statistics, you'll be
shaken to the core.
In the US, every 22 minutes, an alcohol
related motor accident happens.
On any given day, 2 out of 10 drivers on
America's roads has been drinking.
One of the most appalling drinking and driving
statistics, the chance of you or someone from
your family being in an alcohol related motor
accident is very high. If you look at the
figures, in a family of 5, there's a 200%

chance that someone might find themselves
in a alcohol related car accident.
Most deaths that have occurred in car
accidents come in the age group of 15 to 24.
In a single year, more than 500 teens were
arrested while they were intoxicated.
70% of teens consume alcohol.
More than 60% of teens drinking and driving
die to drunk driving every year in the US.
Drinking and Driving Risks
It's always hard for any parent to agree that
their children may suffer from a drinking
problem. The young generation of today is
under a lot of pressure to perform up to
society's standards, especially in academics.
Pressure forces teens to make difficult
choices, but it's very necessary that they
should be aware of the drinking and driving
consequences; so that they can grow up to be
mature and responsible adults. You would be
pained to know that most car accidents
happening across the world are due to drunk
driving and in most cases teens are the ones
who are driving. Young and inexperienced
drivers don't understand the concept of
driving safety, but they get on the wheel and

most teens drive while they are drunk.
Statistics show that 1 out of 5 teens between
the ages of 12 to 13 at least drink alcohol
twice a month.
Once teens get their driving license, they just
zoom off to pubs and discos, and drink with
friends and return home drunk. Law
enforcement in the US tries to make sure that
teenage drinking is prevented, and in 1984,
President Ronald Regan upped the legal
drinking age to 21 and also added several
penalties for teens who drink. However, that's
not enough; a patient parent, and information
on teenage drinking and driving facts are two
most important tools to prevent this epidemic
of teenage drinking.
By Kulbhushaan RaghuvanshiLast Updated:
9/21/2011
Read more at Buzzle:
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/teenagedrinking-and-driving.html
Drinking and Driving Consequences
The following article brings to the fore
shocking drinking and driving consequences
as well as statistics. Read on to know how

alcohol related accidents are affecting the
American society as well as its citizens...

In legal parlance, drunken drivers are known
as DUIs i.e. "Driving Under the Influence".
With statistics revealing that approximately
eighteen million of American people are
alcoholic, their chances of falling in the
category of DUIs increases manifold.
Keeping these statistics in mind as well as
looking at the various consequences, the laws
have become stricter such as the legal BAC
i.e. blood alcohol content, has been reduced
to .08 from .10 percent in all states of
America for adults. As for those under 21,
even a trace of alcohol in blood while driving
is considered illegal. Offenders i.e. those who

are found guilty of crossing these stipulated
legal limits have to suffer from a number of
consequences.
Consequences
Fatal Accident
One of the most obvious consequences of
drinking and driving is an accident which can
prove to be fatal. When a person has had
alcohol, it suppresses his nervous system,
reducing his reaction time to a great extent. A
drunk person thus, is unable to control his
vehicle, leading to a fatal car crash.
Harm to Others
Another person who has to bear the
consequences, without any reason, is the
pedestrian. When a drunk person loses control
of his vehicle, he may hit a passer-by. The
pedestrian might be injured and can even die
for no fault of his. Thus, a drunk driver is not
only putting his own life at risk but is risking
other people's lives as well.
Hassling Legalities
Some serious consequences are, when a

person is caught, his license is marked for the
aforesaid crime. A person has to become a
part of various hassling court proceedings and
legalities to get the license renewed. This can
affect his reputation as well as cast a bad
spell on his professional life. Some states
have made it mandatory for the offender to
get a formal DUI education and clear a test to
get the license back. Drivers who are charged
with repeated DUI convictions have to serve
jail time, their civil rights such as right to vote
may be confiscated and they may also have
to pay huge fines.
Low Self-esteem
Emotional consequences of drunk drinking are
that the drunk driver's self-esteem might hit a
low. If he causes an accident, his friends and
family, even the person himself might not be
able to trust oneself again.
Facts and Statistics
Going through the statistics, can be shocking
for any person. According to the data
available with National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration, U.S. Department of

Transportation, in the year 2007, around
thirteen thousand people lost their lives due
to alcohol-related accidents. Another shocking
statistics is that around thirteen hundred of
those who died were under age. Other facts
are that around thirty percent of the
Americans are involved in such accidents at
least once in their lifetime and alcohol related
accidents cause immense financial losses, to
the tune of billions of dollars to the American
government every year.
Looking at the adult as well as teenage drunk
driving statistics, it is important that certain
steps are taken to ensure driving safety. The
United States government has framed various
laws to prevent these accidents. For example,
the legal age to drink has been increased to
twenty one. Some states are giving full
authority to the arresting officers to seize the
license of the driver who refuses to comply
with them or take the breath analyzer test.
Some other measures that have been taken
are holding seminars, especially in schools
and colleges, to propagate the bad
consequences of drinking and driving and
installing breath analyzers in bars. Still,

looking at the number of fatalities, a lot more
needs to be done, at governmental, societal
and individual level to bring an end to this
menace.
Read more at Buzzle:
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/drinking-anddriving-consequences.html
Drinking and Driving Facts
Druk driving facts show the graveness of this
terrible accident waiting to happen. Read on
for some facts that will make you think twice
before grabbing the bottle and then your car
keys...

One of the most preventable crimes in the
world today is drinking and driving, or driving
under the influence of alcohol (DUI) as it is

normally called. When a person consumes
alcohol, then it invariably affects the person's
sense of judgment and motor skills - both
which are required while driving. It is heart
wrenching to see how many innocent lives are
victims to drunk driving. If one were to
formulate a drunk driving fact sheet, it would
speak of alarming figures when it comes to
drinking and driving. Given below are some
adult and teen DUI facts that are bound to act
as an eye-opener for people that think the
biggest risk involved with drinking and driving
is spilling the drink on yourself.
Drunk Driving Facts and Statistics
It is estimated that around 20% of the
American population will be directly or
indirectly involved with an alcohol related
motor vehicle crash at some or the other time
in their life.
Impaired driving, which may or may not be
alcohol induced, is one of the most common
intentional crimes committed by Americans
and is responsible for causing one death in a
little under one hour.
Every two minutes, one person is injured
somewhere in the U.S. due to an alcohol

related accident.
According to facts, fatal motorcycle and car
crashes involving drunk driver are four times
more likely to occur at night when compared
to the day.
The loss caused due to alcohol related
accidents is not merely restricted to the bones
and lives of the driver and the pedestrian
involved. If you were to analyze facts, then
one of the drunk driving consequences is that
alcohol related crashes costs lead to a loss of
a staggering USD 73 billion on a yearly basis!
One of the disturbing DUI facts is that in the
year 2008, it was noted that almost one-third
of drivers (an estimated thirty-two percent)
that were involved in an alcohol related car
crash had been drinking and driving.
One-third is an unlucky figure when it comes
to drinking and driving facts and statistics for
one more reason - around a third of fatal
crashes that involved a car driver or a
motorcycle rider impaired due to alcohol has a
blood alcohol concentration more than .08.
According to drinking and driving statistics, a
person who has a blood alcohol concentration
of .10 or more is almost seven times more
likely to be involved in a vehicle accident due

to drunk driving as against a person who has
not consumed any alcoholic beverage at all.
Also, a person with a blood alcohol
concentration of .15 twenty-five times more
likely to get involved in a fatal accident with
his motor vehicle due to driving under the
influence of alcohol.
The facts about under age drinking and
driving may seem appalling but the figures
however do seem encouraging off late, as the
government has tried to crack down on cases
of drunk driving and the laws have been
made stricter, like the acceptable blood
alcohol levels has been brought down from .
10 to .08. Also, a zero tolerance approach has
been put into place and stern action is being
taken against people that are involved in
drunk driving. Due to the efforts and concerns
of many social groups, the legal drinking age
is now set at twenty-one which has
significantly reduced the teenage drinking
and driving cases. However, all of these laws
and bindings will prove to be futile unless and
until people wake up to the fact of responsible
drinking. You need to ensure that if you go for
a party in a group, then one person who is
appointed as the driver does not drink to

ensure driving safety. Also, never be tempted
by alcohol and assume that a few drinks won't
do you any harm because alcohol is alcohol
and a drink is a drink - so even the slightest
presence of alcohol in your bloodstream is
bound to affect your driving and judgment
skills. Moral of the story - don't drink and
drive... but only if you care enough about
yourself, your family and your friends.
Read more at Buzzle:
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/drinking-anddriving-facts.html
Teenage Drunk Driving Statistics
Read this article to know about the alarming
yet shocking teenage drunk driving statistics!
These statistics indicate how much care and
attention needs to be given to teenagers
when it comes to both drinking and driving!

As it is well-known to all of us that teenage is
a very sensitive stage! The excitement in the
fresh youngsters standing at the edge of
adolescence, overpowers their actions and
the ability to take right decisions! We all are
well aware of the thrilling excitement that we
had when we first got our driver's license and
the permission to ride our first owned vehicle!
The mind just wants to hit the road and feel
the rush of a speedy drive! Although,
inexperienced drivers, but the mind thinks
that the road is ruled by the teens. Apart from
rash driving, usage of harmful substances by
teenagers, which include smoking and
alcohol, is also very common these days! And
the consequences that one has to face with
the combination of these two are shocking
and alarming for many parents!
Drunk Driving Statistics for Teenagers
Mentioned below are some shocking teenage
drunk driving statistics, which although can
be highly disturbing, but are equally
important for you to know. Have a close look

at the drunk driving facts and figures
mentioned below.
As per the survey conducted by the National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration 2007,
more than 17,000 people died under the case
of drunk driving, 1/3rd of which were
teenagers aged between 15-20 year!
When it comes to teen deaths in road
accidents, 60% of the deaths are due to drunk
driving!
As per statistics, 522 kids under 14 years
were arrested in the same year, the reason
being, 'driving under the influence of alcohol'.
What is more shocking, is that out of these
522, 113 were under the age of 10!
As per a national survey conducted by
National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration, 70% of all the teenagers drink
alcohol!
In the year 2005, all the teenagers aged 1520 years, who were killed in motor vehicle
crash, 28% of them were under the influence
of alcohol!
When observing the gender specific cases of
drunk driving, it was found out that among
teenagers aged between 15-20 years, males
are ahead! In 2005, 12% of teenage female

drivers were involved in fatal accidents. The
figures doubled to 24% when it came to male
teenagers who were involved in fatal crashes!
Most of the drunk drivers, specially teenagers,
do not wear seat belts while driving! Of all the
teenage drivers who were killed in crashes
due to drinking, 74% were in uncontrolled
situations, as per a national survey conducted
by National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration
As per 2005 CDC Youth Risk Behavior
Surveillance, 28.5% of teenagers in high
school had ridden a vehicle, at least more
than once, while being under the influence of
alcohol. If not, then they were in the vehicle
which was driven by a teen under the
influence of alcohol.
Statistics also reveal that on an average, 8
teens are killed everyday due to drunk
driving!
A male teenager with a 0.05 blood alcohol
concentration is 18 times more prone to suffer
a vehicle crash, as compared to a non drunk
teenage boy. The figures rise up to 54 times
more for teenage girls!
So these were some shocking and alarming
teenage drunk driving statistics which are

very important to be known by both parents,
and the teenagers themselves! As parents
and guardians, you should pay special
attention to the habits of your teens at an
early stage so that things don't get ugly! Take
care of your teen and yourself!
Read more at Buzzle:
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/teenagedrunk-driving-statistics.html
Drinking and Driving Facts: Drunk Driving Fact
Sheet
Did you know that due to drunk driving, every
60 seconds one person is injured? Deaths due
to alcohol related car accidents have
increased by 18.6% over the last 5 years in
the US. For information on state laws,
penalties, and other facts about drunk driving,
read on...

Alcohol consumption impairs abilities like
alertness, judgment, comprehension, quick
thinking, and reflexes, that are essential while
driving. This causes a large number of alcohol
related accidents each year in the US. Due to
the dangers related with drunk driving, also
known as Driving under Influence (DUI) or
Driving While Intoxicated (DWI), it has been
made illegal by all states in the US. Various
penalties are associated with this offense, and
means have been devised to curb this
menace. Studies by various organizations
have come out with the following drinking and
driving facts.
Drunk Driving Facts
Blood Alcohol Concentration
Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) is a
measure of the amount of alcohol in one's
body. It is used to assess the level of
intoxication of an individual for legal and
medical issues. It represents the percentage
of alcohol in deciliters of blood.

Statistics
According to a survey done by the National
Highway Traffic Administration (NHTA), three
out of every ten Americans are involved, at
least once, in alcohol related accidents during
their lifetime.
In 2006, there were 17,941 deaths due to
drunk driving in America. That constituted
41% of total deaths due to motor vehicle
crashes.
Drivers with high BAC levels are 385 times
more likely, than sober drivers, to die in single
vehicle crashes.
Alcoholic related accidents cause a loss of
about $73 billion every year in US.
Individuals aged between 18-20 years
constitute more than 10% of the total drunken
driving trips in US.
The percentage of alcohol related road
accidents, in which teenagers are involved, is
disturbingly high. Teenage drunk driving
statistics show that, in 2007, 11% of the
drunk driving deaths in US were caused by
teens.
State Laws and Penalties
Every state in the US has the authority of

framing laws and penalties for driving under
the influence of alcohol. However, all states
have agreed to make driving illegal for a
person with a BAC level of 0.08% or more.
43 states have made it illegal for all the
occupants of a car, be it the driver or the
passengers, to have an open bottle of alcohol
present in the car.
In most of the states, a drunk driving
conviction is followed by license revocation. In
case the driver fails, or refuses to take a
medical test that would help estimate the
amount of alcohol in his blood, his license
may be canceled before the conviction is
made. This is known as administrative license
suspension.
9 states (Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, Louisiana,
Illinois, Nebraska, Utah, New Mexico, and
Washington) have made ignition interlock
systems mandatory for drivers that have been
convicted even once for driving when
intoxicated.
In Virginia, the license can be canceled for up
to 1 year if a driver is found to be driving
under influence of alcohol. For every
consecutive conviction, the license is
suspended for 3 years each time, with a

possibility of a jail term from the second
conviction onwards.
In Texas, the laws are more relaxed. In this
state, the driver's license is suspended only
for 90 days after the first conviction. For every
consecutive conviction, the license
suspension term could extend to 180 days.
Effective Solutions
A study of the effectiveness of various
measures to check drunk driving has come up
with the following facts:
Automatic cancellation of driving license
seems to be the single most effective step to
curb driving when intoxicated.
Installing the ignition interlock system is
preferred by most states, as it has been found
to be an effective way of discouraging driving
under the influence of alcohol. The ignition
interlock system is a device that requires the
driver to blow into an alcohol sensor unit that
measures the level of alcohol in blood. The
car cannot be started if the alcohol level in
the driver's blood is found to exceed the
permissible limit.
Implementation of sobriety checkpoints have
been found to lower the rate of fatal car

crashes by about 22%.
After the 0.08% BAC law was passed,
incidents of alcohol related crashes dropped
by 7%.
Studies have found that raising the Minimum
Legal Drinking Age (MLDA) to 21 years has
reduced the crashes due to drinking and
driving, among people aged between 18 and
21 years, by 16%.
Implementation of the Zero Tolerance Law
reduced crashes by intoxicated young drivers
by a further 11%.
Drunk driving is a serious menace to the
society. Not only do we jeopardize our own
lives, but also that of others, when we drive
under the influence of alcohol. It is not a
malaise that can't be treated. Our willingness
to co-operate is the best solution to reduce
drunk driving related fatalities.
By Debopriya Bose
Read more at Buzzle:
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/drinking-anddriving-facts-drunk-driving-fact-sheet.html
Is DUI a Felony
The alarming number of accidents and
fatalities attributed to DUI is bound to make

people wonder whether DUI is a felony or a
misdemeanor. Read on....

Generally referred to as drunk driving, driving
under influence (DUI) or driving while
intoxicated (DWI) is defined as the act of
operating a vehicle after consuming alcohol or
any other intoxicating substance. A look at
drunk driving statistics reveals how gruesome
this crime has become, with the number of
fatalities attributed to it crossing the 10,000
mark consecutively, for the last three years.
Difference Between Felony and Misdemeanor
Though, the terms like felony and
misdemeanor are being phased out in several
countries, they are still in practice in the

United States. According to the federal law,
the term 'felony' is used to refer to any
criminal offense which is punishable by death
or imprisonment for more than a year,
whereas the term 'misdemeanor' refers to any
criminal offense which is punishable by
imprisonment for a year or less.
DUI - Felony or Misdemeanor?
The penalties for drunk driving tend to differ
from one area of jurisdiction to another. In
some areas, it may be considered to be a
serious crime, while in other areas, it may be
considered to be a serious crime only, in case
of a death. Though, DUI is considered to be a
misdemeanor in most of the cases, there are
some cases wherein it is regarded as a felony,
and hence, may result in a severe
punishment. Classification of DUI as a felony
or misdemeanor depends on a range of
associated factors. More importantly, when a
person is convicted for DUI as a
misdemeanor, he has to spend his term of
imprisonment in the county jail, but if he is
convicted for DUI as a felony, he has to spend
his entire term of imprisonment in the state
prison.

When is DUI Considered a Felony?
DUI is considered to be a felony when it
results in the deaths or causes severe injuries
to any individual. At times, especially, in case
of an accident causing a death or deaths, DUI
can be also treated on the lines of reckless
homicide, thus calling for a more severe
punishment including death. For instance, a
drunk driver mowing down a pedestrian can
amount to a serious crime, which can give the
law enforcing authority the right to charge the
accused for felony.
Is Second DUI a Felony?
As the law of states differs from one area of
jurisdiction to another, one can come across
significant variations when trying to conclude
what makes DUI a felony. In some states, the
seriousness of the issue is taken into
consideration, to determine whether DUI is
felony or misdemeanor, while in some cases
the number of convictions are taken into
consideration to determine the same. For
instance, in New York and Wyoming, second
conviction for DUI in a stipulated time period
is considered to be a felony. On the other

hand, states like Texas and Georgia consider
fourth conviction as a felony.
The lack of interest of big companies when it
comes to hiring felons has become quite
obvious. Jobs for felons are restricted to some
odd ones today, which neither provide job
security nor a good pay. In such
circumstances being well versed with the fact
as to what is DUI, a felony or misdemeanor,
can be of great help in avoiding a certain
disaster not just on the road, but also in your
career.
By Abhijit Naik
Read more at Buzzle:
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/is-dui-afelony.html
Teen Drinking and Driving Facts - Teenage
Drunk Driving Statistics
In the United States, approximately 10% of all
vehicle crashes recorded by the authorities
are caused due to the driver being under the
influence of alcohol.

In recent times, drinking and driving has
become a serious issue among teenagers in
the United States. In order to drive safely, a
person has to be alert, capable to make
decisions based of incidents happening
around and execute them. This coordination
while driving becomes difficult, especially
under the influence of alcohol. Alcohol leads
to loss of coordination, poor judgment,
slowing down of reflexes and distortion of
vision, all of which invariably lead to an
accident. The statistics related to alcohol and
driving indeed depict a gruesome picture
about the entire phenomenon.
The statistics of drunk driving compiled by the
National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration, U.S. Department of
Transportation, produce some staggering facts

about drunk driving. Out of 12,998 drinking
driving fatalities in the United States in 2007,
1,393 were caused due to teen drinking and
driving. About 28% of teenagers killed in
motor vehicle crashes were drinking either
before or while they were driving. Most of the
drivers forget to use their seat belts after
consuming alcohol. Around 64% of teenagers
who were involved in fatal drunk driving
crashes were reportedly not wearing their
seat belts. The study rates motor vehicle
crashes as the leading cause of deaths among
teenagers. It also reported that the fatalities
caused by teens drinking and driving
constituted 40% of all alcohol-related
fatalities in the United States.
Drinking and driving statistics, compiled by
the Center for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC), showed that more than half of the
drunk driving accidents involving teenagers
were reported on either Friday, Saturday or
Sunday. It also showed that about half of
these accidents occurred between 3:00 pm
and 12:00 am. According to the studies done
by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety,
young people are less likely to drive after

drinking, but when they do they are more
likely to end up crashing as they are drunk
and relatively inexperienced in driving.
Since 1875, an estimated 24,560 lives have
been saved due to implementation of the
minimum drinking age. The legal age has
been changed several times and fluctuated
between 18 and 22. The current minimum age
for purchasing or consuming alcohol is 21,
which was implemented by all the 50 states of
the United States of America in July 1988.
Drunk driving stats confirm that increasing
the age led to reduction in the number of
accidents caused by teens drinking and
driving. According to the zero tolerance law, it
is illegal for any person below the age of 21 to
drive with 0.02 percent or greater blood
alcohol content (BAC). A study done in 12
states of the United States of America
reported that the proportion of fatal accidents
reduced by 20% after these states passed the
zero tolerance law.
In some people, alcohol triggers the
overconfidence of being able to handle
anything, while for some others, allowing or

encouraging a drunk person to drive means
sheer fun. Driving safety is something that
just goes out of the window when under the
influence. Statistics of teen drunk driving
suggest that a teenage boy with BAC levels of
0.05 percent is 18 times more vulnerable to
crash his vehicle than a teenage boy who
hasn't consumed alcohol. In girls, this
vulnerability increases to 54 times over her
non-drinking counterpart.
On behalf of the administration, initiatives like
sobriety checkpoints and legislation like zero
tolerance laws have been introduced.
Organizations such as Students Against Drunk
Driving and Mothers Against Drunk Driving
have been actively spreading awareness
about the hazards of drinking and driving.
Though all these efforts have decreased the
number of casualties caused by teenage
drunk driving, the numbers depicted in the
latest statistics are still very frightening. The
need of the hour is to completely curb this
social menace, which is something that
threatens the lives of our young loved ones.
By Abhijit NaikLast Updated: 9/22/2011

Read more at Buzzle:
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/teen-drinkingand-driving-facts-teenage-drunk-drivingstatistics.html
Drinking and Driving Statistics
The aim of this article is to put forth the
drinking and driving statistics which indicate
how serious the problem of drunken driving
has become over the years. Read on to know
more.

Drinking and driving statistics in America and
other parts of the world have forced us to
think and find a permanent solution to this
problem. Drunken driving is not only
hazardous to the person who indulges in this
illegal act, but also to the other people driving

vehicles or walking on the roads. Drunken
driving has caused many deaths and injured
innumerable people in different parts of the
world. Drinking and driving statistics for
college students and adults has indicated a
need to deal with this issue seriously. Before
we discuss the drinking and driving statistics,
let us go through the ways of preventing
drunken driving in the next paragraph.
How to Prevent Drunken Driving?
Drunken driving can be prevented by having
strict laws and regulations for the same. The
law should have strict punishments for people
who violate the rules of drunk driving. Many
countries have included drunken driving
under the serious offense category due to the
ever-increasing number of such cases.
Suspension of the driving license can also be
an effective way of dealing with this problem.
Apart from the strict laws, educating the
masses about the ill effects of drunken driving
is also a necessity. The governments as well
as social organizations can hold seminars and
talks on this subjects and teach the youth and

adults the ways of driving the vehicles safely.
Such sessions and seminars can also be
conducted in colleges, high schools and
universities considering the increasing
number of teenagers indulging in the crime of
drunken driving. The next paragraph has
details related to adult as well as underage
drinking and driving statistics.
Important Statistics About Drunken Driving
The drinking and driving statistics show that
drunken driving has affected thousands of
people in the United States of America over
the last few years. According to reports by
competent authorities, more than thirty
percent of all the road accidents which caused
the death of people were due to drunken
driving. As per the statistics available for the
year 2008, more than eleven thousand people
lost their lives in the United States because of
driving under the influence of alcohol. The
number of deaths in this fashion are higher in
large metropolitan cities than in the lesser
developed cities.
As per the drinking and driving statistics of

2007 in the United States, there were more
than twelve thousand drunken driving
fatalities. The most significant aspect is that
more than 1300 of these fatalities were
caused due to drunken driving by teenagers.
The research conducted on teenage drunken
driving suggests that a teenager whose blood
alcohol content (BAC) levels are 0.05 percent
is eighteen times more likely to cause an
accident than a teenager who does not drink
alcohol and drive. Girls consuming alcohol are
fifty-four times more vulnerable to accidents
than girls who do not drink and drive. The loss
of concentration and reduced reflexes due to
alcohol intake are the main causes of fatal
accidents. Drinking and driving statistics also
point out that a person loses his life due to a
drunk driver in every forty minutes. The
percentage of people who get involved in a
crash due to alcohol consumption is as high
as thirty percent. You can read more on teen
drinking and driving facts. The information on
drinking and driving statistics in this article
will certainly guide you in the right way. Drive
safely!
By Charlie S

Read more at Buzzle:
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/drinking-anddriving-statistics.html

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