The good news: Alcohol-related crashes have declined in recent years. The bad news: More than 17,000 Americans still die each year in automobile crashes that involve alcohol, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). These deaths account for 40 percent of all traffic fatalities. The saddest fact of all is that every one of these crashes and fatalities involving alcohol could have been prevented.
By making the right choices and planning ahead, thousands of lives could have been saved.
Here are some sobering facts reported by NHTSA:
- Every driver, passenger, and pedestrian is at risk from impaired drivers or from being impaired themselves.
- An alcohol-related fatality, on average, occurs every 30 minutes.
- The highest intoxication and crash rates are for drivers between the ages of 21 and 44.
- The greatest risk of a fatal crash is at night.
- Only about one in five intoxicated drivers wears a seatbelt.
- One in three pedestrians killed by a car is intoxicated.
- Alcohol-related fatalities are highest on weekends.
- More than 700,000 Americans are injured each year in crashes where alcohol is present.
What Makes a Driver Impaired?
The NHTSA defines intoxication as having a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or more. Every U.S. state has laws that define intoxication as a BAC of .08. About two thirds of all drivers involved in fatal alcohol-related traffic crashes have a BAC of .15 or more.
Plan Ahead, Designate a Driver
How do you know when you've consumed too much alcohol to drive safely? As you drink more, you will probably not be able to make a rational decision about your driving. Planning ahead is the only way to make sure you and others remain safe.
If you are going to drink, find someone who will refrain from drinking completely to be your designated driver. It might take a day or two to find someone, so start well ahead of the time you intend to go out and drink. If you can't find someone, don't drink.
If you drink and drive and get caught, you could face fines, loss of driving privileges, or other penalties. If you drink and drive and don't get caught, the results could be much, much worse. Drivers, passengers, people in other cars, and pedestrians are all at risk when you drive while impaired.
Summary
The motto of the National Drunk and Drugged Driving (3D) Prevention Month Coalition sums up the problem and the reality of impaired driving: You Drink & Drive. You Lose.
The bottom line is that by making the right choices – recognizing that alcohol consumption impairs your driving ability, and planning ahead and getting a designated driver – crashes can be prevented and lives can be saved. If controlling your intake of alcohol is a problem, see your doctor, a counselor, or join a 12-step program. |
