Recent DUI Statistics Reveal Ongoing Problem
DUI accidents are the most preventable type of car accidents; however statistics for DUI accidents remains shocking.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2013 there were 10,076 fatalities involving a drunk driver, which represents 31% of all car accident fatalities in the United States. Moreover, more than 65% of the reported alcohol related fatalities involved the driver having a blood alcohol level (BAC) over 0.08 percent, the legally allowable limit in all 50 states.
The NHTSA statistics show that the majority of fatal drunk driving car accidents in 2013 occurred at night and on weekends. Moreover, the majority of drivers with a blood alcohol level at .08% or greater were between 21-24 years of age. It is not surprising to hypothesize that that the probability of a car accident increases as does the amount of alcohol consumed by the driver. In fact, data shows that it was twelve times more likely for a crash to occur when the blood alcohol level of a driver was 0.15%, as compared to a sober driver.
DUI Car Accidents in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania continues to have a significant percentage of fatal traffic accidents as a result of drunk driving. Roughly 30% of fatal car accidents in Pennsylvania were a result of driver impairment with a BAC of 0.08% or greater. A blood alcohol level in excess of the legal limit can cause significant impairment for the driver. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 4,663 drivers were fatally injured in Pennsylvania between 2003 and 2012 as a result of drunk driving.
Another alarming statistic shows that in 2013, there was an average of one alcohol related car accident fatality every 52 minutes in the U.S. Advocates for safe driving, along with MADD, continue to urge the public to consider these statistics before consuming alcohol and driving. Drunk driving car accidents are completely preventable and drivers must act responsibility to increase road safety for everyone.
