Drunk Driving Facts

By all accounts, the public views drinking and driving as a major problem. According to a 2003 survey, 97 percent of those polled saw drinking and driving as a threat to their personal safety. In addition, 66 percent said that they felt reducing the occurence of drunk driving is important enough to spend tax dollars on.

The fact is that in 2002, 159 million trips were made by individuals who were driving impaired because of alcohol consumption. This was substantially up from 116 million alcohol-impaired trips in 1997. Even more shocking is the fact that across the population, 2.3 percent of Americans reported driving under the influence of alcohol. As an age group, 21-34 year olds reported the highest level of alcohol-impaired driving with 4.1 percent being impaired at some point while driving a motor vehicle.

By far, those who consume beer are the most likely to be impaired while driving. In addition, those who report binge drinking are 13 times more likely that other individuals to drive while impaired by alcohol. However, a great majority of individuals who reported driving under the influence of alcohol were not alcohol abusers at all. 71 million driving trips were made by individuals under the influence of alcohol though they reported being only moderate drinkers.

By racial breakdown, Native Americans had the highest number of alcohol abusers. In fact, 44 percent of Native American individuals reported driving under the influence during the past year, while 29 percent of whites and 37 percent of blacks reported doing the same. The statistics show that driving under the influence of alcohol is not just something done by those who would be considered alcoholics. Instead, a lot of people who are leaving parties and bars after a good time are leaving under the influence of alcohol and then choosing to drive a car.