Getting behind the wheel of a motor vehicle is a common activity, often done several times a day. While many drivers in Connecticut consider the risks and dangers associated with driving, most continue with this routine activity with little to no thoughts about risks because they follow the rules of the road. Although driving safely can help many drivers avoid automobile accidents, this unfortunately does not help them evade negligent drivers. And one of these negligent drivers is a drunk driver, and drunk driving accidents have the tendency to be tragic.
Current data on drunk driving crashes in the United States indicates that the rate of drunk driving fell to an all-time low in 2014. While this is the most recent year data is available for, it is believed that the current rate reflects these numbers because it has not changed meaningfully in the recent years. In fact, it has remained slightly lower that it was in 2008 and 2009.
Based on the survey used to collect the rate of drunk driving as of 2014, roughly 11 percent of Americans who are 16-years-old or older admitted to driving under the influence of alcohol in the past year. Being that these numbers are self-reports, it is suspected that the rate is actually higher when considering those reluctant to report such illegal actions.
Even though the current trend is heading in the right direction, experts caution that there is still a lot to be done. Driving under the influence of alcohol still kills thousands of Americans each year, impacting the lives of the family members and friends left behind. When considering the fatality rate of drunk driving, this rate is actually going up. For example, in 2015, 10,265 people were killed in an accident involving alcohol. This is an increase of more than 300 fatalities from the previous year.
A drunk driver can instantly change the lives of other travelers on the roadways. These accidents are unexpected, shocking and life-altering. Those harmed by a drunk driver should understand that they have rights and options.
Source: Nola.com, “Drunk driving rate falls to new low in U.S.,” Dec. 30, 2016
