These reckless incidents not only shatter lives but also leave victims grappling with physical injuries, emotional trauma and financial burdens. If you find yourself in this situation, you are not alone. This blog post outlines the real dangers of drunk driving, highlighting the profound impact it has on victims and their loved ones.

Drunk driving kills: A closer look at the numbers

Drunk driving remains a critical issue, with devastating consequences that are entirely preventable. Every day in the United States, approximately 37 people lose their lives due to drunk-driving collisions, which is one death every 39 minutes. In 2022 alone, 13,524 individuals died in traffic accidents involving alcohol-impaired drivers.

Alcohol impairs crucial bodily functions such as thinking, muscle coordination and reasoning, which are essential for safe driving. As alcohol levels rise in the body, the central nervous system becomes increasingly affected.

The blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level measures the weight of alcohol in a given amount of blood. The risk of crashes rises significantly at a BAC of .08 grams per deciliter. Driving with this BAC level is illegal across all 50 states, with Utah setting the limit at .05.

That said, it is still dangerous to drive with a BAC lower than that. In 2022, 2,337 fatalities occurred in crashes involving drivers with blood alcohol levels ranging from .01 to .07 g/dL. The numbers prove that even minimal alcohol consumption can still be deadly if you are driving.

The aftermath of a drunk driving accident

For those gravely injured in a drunk driving accident, the path to recovery can be full of challenges. The physical and emotional scars, coupled with financial strain, can be overwhelming.

However, you don’t have to face this journey alone. An experienced lawyer can be your advocate, guiding you through the legal steps and fighting for the compensation you deserve. They understand the complexities of your case and can provide the support you need to hold the responsible parties accountable.

What leads to crashes? In an interview with Bethesda Magazine, Detective Cpl. David Cohen said, “…in 99.9 percent of our cases, the fatal collision could have been prevented if someone had just done something differently.” To consider them accidents, according to the Detective, is to suggest there was nothing that could have been done to prevent it. We can always take precautions to protect our own lives and property, and those of our neighbors.

When a fatal crash occurs, county collision detectives get involved.  It is their task to study the scene of the collision and analyze the factors that went into it. With calculations, simulation, and long hours, detectives gain an understanding of the crash and determine who was at fault, and if that fault is of a criminal nature. Often, investigations do not end with criminal charges being pressed, but not for the reason you might think. In about 60% of the investigated collisions, the perpetrator died in the crash.

Intoxication is a common factor in crashes, especially lethal ones, with annual rates of collisions involving teens driving under the influence being especially concerning. For some years, efforts to halt this trend worked, but there has been a recent resurgence of teen drinking and driving. If you have driving teens in your family, or even kids that take rides with driving peers, do not put off discussions about intoxicated driving. A passenger of a drunk driver is still at a severe risk, even if they are not behind the wheel. Do your best to keep your children informed and safe, and instilled with the sense to make the right choices.

If you, or someone you know, have been injured in a vehicular collision, be it as a driver, bicyclist, or pedestrian; please contact us for a free consultation. We can all do our part to make our roads safer for everyone, so always remember to drive safe out there.