Ever vigilant about making U.S. roadways as safe as possible, officials at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) have recently published the findings of two studies on impaired drivers – and the results are fascinating.
The findings of two NHTSA studies on drunk and drugged driving in the U.S. reveal changing trends in these forms of impaired driving.
Generally, what these studies on drunk and drugged driving in the U.S. found was that, while drunk driving seems to happening less on U.S. roads, drugged driving seems to be occurring more frequently.
Mark Rosekind, an NHTSA administrator, has noted in explaining the importance of these drunk and drugged driving studies that:
Researchers have developed a deep body of knowledge about the link between drinking, driving and risk. We know drunk driving kills… the combined message of these two surveys is that our work to understand and combat drunk driving is paying off, but that we have much to learn about how illegal drugs and prescription medicines affect highway safety – and that developing that knowledge is urgent, because more and more drivers have these drugs in their systems.
Drunk and Drugged Driving in the U.S.: The NHTSA’s Findings
The two NHTSA studies focused on drunk and drugged driving in the U.S. specifically found that:
- Since 1973, the incidence of drunk driving in the U.S. has declined about 80 percent.
- Since 2007, drunk driving in the U.S. has dropped by about 30 percent.
- In 2014, about 8 percent of motorists on an average weekend evening were driving while drunk (evening hours over weekends tend to be the times when more people are drunk driving).
- Motorists with BACs of 0.08 or more (i.e., BACs above the legal limit in every U.S. state) are about four times more likely to get into a traffic accident (when compared to the accident risks for sober drivers).
- When motorists’ BACs were 0.15 or higher, the risk of getting into a traffic accident increases by about 12 times (when compared to the collision risks for sober drivers).
- From 2007 to 2014, the incidence of drugged driving apparently increased by close to 4 percent (climbing up from 16.3 percent in 2007 to around 20 percent last year).
- In addition to the use of prescription drugs while driving, marijuana use while driving seems to be a growing problem.
- Last year, the incidence of drugged drivers with notable amounts of marijuana in their systems nearly doubled.
It will be interesting to see if, in the near future, campaigns similar to those for drunk driving are initiated for drugged driving in an effort to increase public awareness – and, ideally, put drugged driving on the downward trend like drunk driving.
Contacting a Denver Car Accident Lawyer at Cederberg Law
Have you or someone you love been hurt by a drunk or impaired driver? If so, it’s time to contact a Denver car accident lawyer at Cederberg Law to find out more about your best options for financial recovery.
At Cederberg Law, you will not be handed off to a paralegal or assistant. You will receive personal attention and professional service from an experienced lawyer who cares about you and who is dedicated to providing you with superior legal services at every stage of your case.
To meet with us at no cost or obligation to you, call us at 303-499-0449 or email us using the form at the side of the screen. In addition to offering free initial consults and contingency fee options, our lawyers make hospital visits to ensure that you have access to the legal support you need – whenever you need it.
