2022 Drunk Driving Statistics

While it comes as no surprise that drunk driving is exceptionally dangerous, far too many motorists fail to lose their taste for it. The danger associated with drunk driving isn’t going away any time soon, and understanding the latest relevant statistics can give you a feel for just how dangerous the situation is – and what you can do to help protect yourself. If a drunk driver leaves you or someone you love injured, get an attorney for car accident in Texas on your side and standing by to help.

Driving Drunk Statistics

Forbes shares a wide range of drunk driving statistics culled from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and beyond. Consider all the following:

Every day across the United States, about 28 people lose their lives in accidents caused by drunk drivers (NHTSA).
In the decade from 2010 to 2019, drunk driving accidents killed more than 10,000 people (NHTSA).
Drunk drivers are involved in about a third of all fatal car accidents (NHTSA).
The overall annual cost of car accidents caused by drunk drivers exceeds $44 billion (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC).
In 2018, there were about 147 million instances in which impaired drivers took to our roadways (CDC).
32 percent of all the motorists involved in fatal nighttime car accidents in 2017 were drunk (NHTSA).
The weekends are almost twice as deadly as weekdays when it comes to alcohol related fatalities (NHTSA).
About 19 percent of the 50,930 drivers involved in fatal accidents in 2019 were impaired by alcohol (NHTSA).
29 percent of all the traffic fatalities in 2018 involved alcohol impairment (NHTSA).
The pandemic did decrease traffic but did not reduce the number of alcohol related traffic accidents in 2020 (NHTSA).
From March 17, 2020, to September 30, 2020, about 27 percent of all drivers involved in either serious or fatal car accidents were alcohol impaired – as compared to the 21 percent from September 10, 2019, to March 16, 2020 (NHTSA).
From 2009 to 2018, Texas had by far the most drunk driving fatalities with 13,592 to California’s second ranking 9,288 (CDC).

Drunk drivers are out there, and they make our roads far more dangerous for all of us.

The Legal Limit

The legal limit for blood alcohol concentration (BAC) in the State of Texas – and nearly every other state – is .08 percent. NHTSA shares that, at this level of impairment, the driver experiences deficiencies in balance, speech, reaction time, vision, and even hearing. Further, self-control, judgment, reasoning, and memory are all affected. Things only get more dangerous from here – as a motorist’s BAC climbs.

Taking Responsibility

NHTSA shares important ways we can all help stem the alarming number of alcohol related accidents on our roadways, including:

If you plan on having a few drinks, also plan a safe way to get home – by either engaging a designated driver, conjuring an Uber or hailing a taxi, or simply staying put and crashing at your host’s place.
If you recognize that someone else who has been drinking is preparing to drive, intervene (you could help prevent a dangerous accident and may help save a life).
If you host a party at which alcohol is served, take it upon yourself to ensure that everyone has a safe means of getting home.
Wearing your seatbelt every single time you drive or are a passenger in a vehicle is the best way there is to help protect yourself from drunk drivers who are out there.

Injured by a Drunk Driver?

If you’ve been injured in a car accident that was caused by a drunk driver, keep all the following in mind – in terms of protecting your recovery and your car accident claim:

If you have reason to believe that the other driver is impaired, let the officer on the scene know.
Accept medical attention at the scene, and if it isn’t offered, seek medical attention as soon after the accident as possible (it not only has the potential to improve your health outcome but also lets the insurance company know that your injuries are as serious as you say they are).
Follow your doctor’s advice and instructions carefully.
Reach out to an experienced car accident attorney as soon as you’re able to do so. Protecting your claim from the get-go helps to ensure that you obtain the resources you need to bolster your recovery.
Leave the insurance company in the capable hands of your car accident attorney. You’re not obligated to provide them with a statement, and it is in your best interest to avoid doing so.
Take a break from posting on social media. It’s too easy to innocently provide the insurance company with something that it can ultimately use to tarnish your claim.

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Your Losses

In your car accident claim, you will seek compensation for the losses you incur as a result of the drunk driver. Because alcohol related accidents tend to be especially dangerous, you can expect your related losses to be correspondingly high, including:

The property damage to your vehicle
Your medical expenses from emergency transportation through surgery, hospital stays, pain management, rehab, physical and occupational therapy, and beyond (both current and ongoing)
Your lost earnings, which can include losses into the future and even a curtailed career trajectory
Your physical and emotional pain and suffering, which can be especially difficult to endure

It’s paramount that your car accident claim addresses your full range of losses head-on.

Look to an Experienced Texas Car Accident Attorney for the Help You Need

If an impaired driver causes you or someone you love to be injured, the compassionate car accident attorneys at The Patel Firm recognize the serious nature of your situation and are well equipped to help. Your claim and your recovery are important, so please don’t wait to contact or call us at 361-400-2036 for more information today.