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How big a problem is drunk driving?

On Behalf of | Jun 18, 2021 | Drunk Driving Accidents |

Despite years of campaigns warning people how dangerous driving after drinking alcohol is, many people continue to do it. Despite the police arresting thousands of people each year for it, many drivers still take the risk. They still believe that the statistics do not apply to them.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is in charge of compiling figures about road deaths and their causes. It reports that drunk drivers kill an average of 28 people per day across the country. To put it another way, think back to high school and imagine that the whole class got wiped out today. Tomorrow the same happens to your brothers’ class and the following day to your sister’s class.

Almost one-third of all traffic deaths involve a drunk driver

Between 2016 and 2019, NHTSA figures show that drunk driving played a factor in around 29% of all traffic deaths. The biggest culprits were between 21 and 34 years old, and overall, men outnumbered women by a factor of four when looking at who are the drunk drivers involved in fatal crashes.

The NHTSA figures do not cover crashes where everyone survived. They only look at those where someone died. Yet, thanks to seat belts, airbags, other car safety features and luck, many survive a drunk driver colliding with them. If you are one of these lucky ones, you are unlikely to escape without injury. If you suspect that the other driver had been drinking, it is crucial to hold them responsible. They knew the risks; everyone does. If their choice to drink and drive harmed you, you need to make sure you get full compensation for your injuries.