It’s shocking how many people downplay the dangers of driving under the influence. Here are some alarming facts about drunk driving, as referenced from Fact Retriever:
- Nearly 75 percent of fatal crashes occurring between midnight and 3 a.m. involve alcohol. There are also spikes in DUIs at 7 p.m. and 3 p.m., which tend to be the end of happy hour and lunchtime.
- Only 27 percent of drivers can correctly identify the legal blood alcohol content (BAC) limit for their state.
- Between 50 and 75 percent of convicted drunk drivers continue to drive on a suspended license.
- Drunk driving is most frequently committed on the weekends.
- In 2013 alone, nearly 29 million people admitted to driving under the influence of alcohol.
- About one-third of all traffic-related deaths in the U.S. are due to drunk driving.
- Men are twice as likely as women to drive under the influence of alcohol and to be involved in a fatal crash.
- There were 1,070 traffic deaths among children between 0 and 14 years old in 2014. Of those fatalities, 19 percent involved a drunk driver. What’s more tragic is that over half the children who died were riding in the car with the drunk driver.
- Someone is killed by a drunk driver every 45 minutes in the U.S. alone.
- Drunk driving tends to occur most commonly in rural counties as opposed to major cities.
- Teenagers who engage in binge drinking, smoking marijuana, and driving other people’s’ cars without permission are at higher risk for DUI.
- A teenager will die every 15 minutes due to drunk driving.
- Motorcycle riders are nearly twice as likely to be driving while drunk than passenger car drivers.
- It takes about six hours after drinking for the body to completely eliminate alcohol from its systems with a BAC level of .08 g/dL.
- Even just three beers is enough for a 170-pound male to become too drunk to drive. For a woman of average size, it might only take two beers.
- Ignition interlocks work to prevent a car’s engine from starting if a driver’s blood alcohol concentration is too high. These special breathalyzers have reduced DUI arrest rates by about 70 percent.
- The deadliest drunk driving crash in U.S. history was the Carrollton bus crash on May 14, 1988. Larry Wayne Mahoney killed 27 people and injured another 34 when he crashed into a church activity bus.
- North Dakota ranks first in the country in drunk driving fatalities.
- George Smith was the first person ever arrested for drunk driving in 1897. He was fined 25 shillings for the crime.
- Contrary to popular belief, the 4th of July is the deadliest day in terms of driving under the influence.
DUI HELP YOU CAN TRUST
Did you recently make the decision to drink and drive? If so, your life may be upside down at the moment. Here at the law firm of Cavett, Abbott & Weiss, we never condone drinking and driving. However, we routinely mitigate legal circumstances so that clients can get back on their feet. If you’re facing DUI charges in Chattanooga, then it’s time to get in touch with a seasoned DUI defense attorney.
Our DUI defense lawyers have well over 60 years of combined experience. You can count on us to put your needs first and act swiftly. Our DUI lawyers don’t believe that one mistake should define your life.
Call our law office to schedule your consultation.