Thanksgiving traditionally marks the start of the holiday season, and as we approach Chirstmas and New Years the chances of our encoutering someone who is driving under the influence of alcohol increases with holiday parties and New Years celebrations.
I am providing the following statistics not to scare anyone into not driving, nor to lecture about the dangers of drinking and driving but to better educate and better inform our members.
* About three in every ten Ameicans will be involved in an alcohol related crash at some point in their lives (NHTSA 2000)
* An estimated 513,000 people are injured in alcohol related crashes each year. (NHTSA 2002).
* Impairment is not determined by the type of drink, but rather by the amount of alcohol injested over a specific period of time. (IIHS Nov 2001)
* The rate of alcohol involvement in fatal crashes is more than three times as high at night as during the day (61% vs 18%) NHTSA 2000
* Based upon 1998 data, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for persons of every age from 4 to 33 years old (NHTSA 2000)
* 30% of alcohol related fatal crahes occur during the week versus 53% on weekends.
* The average person metabolizes alcohol at the rate of about one drink per hour. Only time will sober a person up. Drinking strong coffee, exercising, and cold showers will not help (Michigan State University 2002)
* 40% of alcohol related deaths are people other thatn the at-fault driver (Innocent victims that include pedestrians, passengers, and other drivers) (NHTSA)
State by State Traffic Fatalities 2001
State 2001 Total 2001 Alcohol % Alcohol Traffic Deaths Related Deaths Related
Virginia 935 340 36% Maryland 660 290 44 North Carolina 1530 533 35 Distric of Columbia 68 38 55 West Virginia 376 136 36
Nationally 42,116 17,448 41%
Why the doom and gloom statistics? Traditionally they stand out more over the long haul. I want to encourage every member to encourage the use of designated drivers and for those who choose to drink, drink responsibly.
Lets not become a statistic, have a safe holiday driving season.
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