Drunk Driving
Revealing Drunk Driving Statistics for 2005!
Driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or drugs jeopardizes the lives of not only impaired drivers and their fellow passengers but also all other people on and near the road. While everyone knows the dangers and consequences of drunk driving, people still continue to do it and the results are often tragic, as the following statistics reveal.
In November 2006, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration released its statistics on drunk driving fatalities in the United States for the year 2005, and the numbers still aren't very pretty, especially when considering the continuing efforts to crack down on DUI.
Of the 43,433 deaths that occurred on the highway during 2005, 16,885 of them were alcohol-related. When broken down, approximately 38.8 percent of fatalities on highways involved drunk driving accidents.
According to this data, there were a few minor yet positive developments in 2005 when compared to 2004 data for drunk driving fatalities. Specifically, there were 34 fewer drunk driving fatalities in 2005 as compared to the year before. Furthermore, drunk driving accidents accounted for a smaller percentage of all highway deaths in 2005 as compared to 2004, which saw drunk driving accidents account for 39.9 percent of all highway fatalities.
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While this 1.1 percent decrease from 2004 to 2005 can be seen as a small improvement, much more work needs to be done to prevent drunk driving accidents. As just one example, 12,995 of the 16,885 fatal drunk driving accidents in 2005 (or approximately 76.7% of them) involved blood alcohol content levels that were greater than or equal to the legal BAC limit of 0.08 percent in all 50 states.
With such information in mind, national and local legislators have continued to put the crackdown on drunk driving at the top of their political agendas. From increasing the penalties for repeat offenders and stiffening zero tolerance policies for underage drinking and driving to calling for more sobriety checkouts and doing much more, these officials are continually taking even harder stances on drunk driving.
The Best Way to Avoid A Drunk Driving Conviction: Don't Drive Drunk!
Obviously, if you want to avoid a drunk driving conviction, don't drink or use drugs before operating an automobile. If you are not able to avoid mixing drinking with driving, you still have many options besides driving while impaired. Obviously, a designated driver is a great way to go. But if you happen to be with a group where even your designated driver has had a few drinks, you still have options. First, consider public transportation or a cab. No matter what it costs you to get a ride back home and then return the next day for your car, it'll cost you a lot less than a fine, a suspended driver's license, and a possible jail sentence. If you need a reminder about the serious consequences you'll face if you're convicted of drunk driving, you can read about DUI penalties or the DUI laws in your state.
In addition, there are a number of companies springing up throughout the country that specifically cater to individuals who need a ride home. One company uses individuals dressed up in chauffeurs' uniforms on scooters who will drive to your location if you can't drive home, fold up their scooter and put it in your trunk, and then drive you home in your own car. Again, this is not cheap, but would you rather have a criminal conviction on your record?
And if you do choose to drive while under the influence of drugs or alcohol (and we are certainly not advising you to do so), you obviously have to be extra cautious, obey all traffic laws, and make sure all of your lights are on (if required) and that your car is operating properly. (These are a lot of things to account for when impaired, so the best option once again is to not drink and drive!) If you don't follow these precautions, you'll give the police reasonable cause to pull you over and test you for DUI.
If you (or someone you know) have already been arrested or charged with a DUI offense, don't delay. You may need to move quickly to protect your driver's license or other important legal rights. If so, call our 24-hour toll-free hotline at 1 (877) 349-1311 to speak to an experienced DUI lawyer.
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You can also fill out our free online DUI case evaluation form. Simply enter some details about your DUI arrest or case in our secure online form and we'll help you arrange a free, no obligation consultation with an experienced DUI attorney in your area.