Drinking and Driving

Air Date: 6/7/2004

Drunk Driving Statistics

• In 2002, an estimated 17,419 people died in alcohol–related traffic crashes—an average of one every 30 minutes. These deaths constitute 41 percent of the 42,815 total traffic fatalities. (NHTSA, 2003)
• Incidence of intoxication (BAC of 0.08 g/dl or greater) for drivers in fatal crashes in 2001 was highest for motorcycle operators (31 percent) and lowest for drivers of large trucks (2 percent). The incidence of intoxication for drivers of light trucks (23 percent) was higher than that for passenger car drivers. (NHTSA, 2003)
• Of the general driving age public, 97 percent see drinking and driving as a threat to their personal safety, and 66 percent feel it is extremely important to do something to reduce the problem in terms of where tax dollars should be spent. (Gallup Organization, 2003)
• About three in every ten Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related crash at some time in their lives. (NHTSA, 2001)
• In 2001, more than half a million people were injured in crashes where police reported that alcohol was present — an average of one person injured approximately every 2 minutes. (Blincoe, Seay et al., 2002)
• The highest prevalence of both binge and heavy drinking in 2000 was for young adults aged 18 to 25, with the peak rate occurring at age 21. (SAMHSA, 2000)
• Impairment is not determined by the type of drink, but rather by the amount of alcohol ingested over a specific period of time. (IIHS, June 2003)
• Alcohol is closely linked with violence. About 40 percent of all crimes (violent and non-violent) are committed under the influence of alcohol. (Bureau of Justice Statistics, 1998)
• Alcohol is society's legal, oldest and most popular drug. (Narcotic Educational Foundation of America, 2002)
• Beer is the drink most commonly consumed by people stopped for alcohol-impaired driving or involved in alcohol-related crashes. (IIHS, 2003)
• Alcohol-related fatalities are caused primarily by the consumption of beer (80 percent) followed by liquor/wine at 20 percent. (Runge, 2002)
• Those drivers 21 to 24 years old were most likely to be intoxicated (BAC of 0.08 g/dl or greater) in fatal crashes in 2002. Thirty-three percent of drivers 21 to 24 years old involved in fatal crashes were intoxicated, followed by ages 25 to 34 (28 percent) and 35 to 44 (26 percent). (NHTSA, 2003)
• The impact of alcohol involvement increases with injury severity. Alcohol-involved crashes accounted for 10 percent of property damage only crash costs, 21 percent of nonfatal injury crashes; and 46 percent of fatal injury crash costs. (NHTSA, 2002)
• The intoxication rate (those over .08 BAC) for male drivers involved in fatal crashes was 25 percent, compared with 12 percent for female drivers. (NHTSA, 2003)
• The average person metabolizes alcohol at the rate of about one drink per hour. Only time will sober a person up. Drinking strong coffee, exercising or taking a cold shower will not help. (Michigan State University, 2002)
• For fatal crashes occurring from midnight to 3:00 a.m., 79 percent involved alcohol. (NHTSA, 2001)
• Drunk driving is the nation’s most frequently committed violent crime, killing someone every 30 minutes. (NHTSA, 2003)
• Those drivers over the age of 70 were least likely to be intoxicated (BAC of 0.08 g/dl or greater) in fatal crashes in 2002 – only five percent were intoxicated. (NHTSA, 2003)
• The rate of alcohol involvement in fatal crashes is more than 3 times as high at night as during the day (63 percent vs. 19 percent). For all crashes, the alcohol involvement rate is 5 times as high at night (15 percent vs. 3 percent). (NHTSA, 2003)
• The speed of alcohol absorption affects the rate at which one becomes drunk. Unlike foods, alcohol does not have to be slowly digested. As a person drinks faster than the alcohol can be eliminated, the drug accumulates in the body, resulting in higher and higher levels of alcohol in the blood. (Narcotic Education Foundation of America, 2002)
• A standard drink is defined as 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof distilled spirits, all of which contain the same amount of alcohol (NHTSA, 2002)
• In 2002, motor vehicle crashes were the leading cause of death for people from 2 to 33 years old. (NHTSA, 2003)
• In 2002, 31 percent of all fatal crashes during the week were alcohol-related, compared to 54 percent on weekends. For all crashes, the alcohol involvement rate was 4 percent during the week and 11 percent during the weekend. (NHTSA, 2003)
• There is evidence that heavier drinkers prefer to drink at bars and other person's homes, and at multiple locations requiring longer driver distances. Young drivers have been found to prefer drinking at private parties, while older, more educated drivers prefer bars and taverns. (NHTSA, 2001)

Why Are Designated Driver Programs An Answer?

Designated Drivers are among the more effective prevention measures because many of the risks related to impaired driving are removed. Nine out of 10 Americans who participate in social events where alcohol is available feel that people should use Designated Drivers.

Designated driving efforts are simple to conduct and require as few as two people to operate. The only requirement is that people plan ahead and either select one person to refrain from drinking alcohol or arrange for a safe ride home. Designating a sober driver in situations when alcohol is present is something that should always be practiced.

Designated Driver programs are necessary to convey these impaired driving prevention messages to the community, and also to inform the community that there are a number of ways in which they can encourage safe and sober driving practices. Designating a driver is the most responsible act an individual or group of individuals can make, and remember, the Designated Driver is not the person who's the most sober. It's a decision made before drinking begins.

There are many benefits to conducting Designated Driver programs. They can have positive effects on people who do not regularly use a Designated Driver or know how to locate a safe ride. Non-participants who are exposed to the program promotion and see others participate may be motivated to make more of an effort to not drive after drinking.

Graduation Months

More than one-third of youth under the age of 21 killed in alcohol-related fatalities in 2001 died during the months of April, May and June - prom and graduation season - according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). In 2001 alone, 2,950 children under 21 died in alcohol-related traffic fatalities - 1,012 died during the months of April, May and June.

450 Edison Way Reno, Nevada 89502 (775)858-5700 Fax (775)858-5720