The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that alcohol-related accidents kill an average of 30 people each and every day. This means there is a drunk driving death approximately every 50 minutes. Unfortunately, these numbers are not enough to make some people in Tennessee take driving as seriously as they should.
Drunk driving accidents are not always fatal either. In 2020 alone, drunk drivers seriously injured around 290,000 people. The time, pain, and finances that go into recovering from severe injuries can — and often do — overwhelm victims.
Do Drivers Take Alcohol Seriously?
You might assume that virtually all drivers understand just how dangerous drinking and driving is. This is not necessarily the case. According to a 2021 survey from The Zebra, only a little more than one-third of drivers believe that alcohol strongly affects them and their driving capabilities. That same survey also found that only around 23% of people will hand the keys over to someone else after fewer than four drinks, meaning there are a lot of people who will still willingly drive after multiple drinks.
However, The Zebra did note that there was a slight drop in buzzed driving between 2020 and its most current data from 2021. In 2020, nearly 19% of drivers admitted to getting behind the wheel while buzzed. Data from 2021 shows that figure dropped to a little over 17%.
Is Age a Factor?
Although anyone of any age or background can engage in drunk driving, age certainly seems to influence the likelihood of whether someone will get behind the wheel while intoxicated. Data from Mothers Against Drunk Driving shows that college-age drivers are involved in approximately 20% of all drunk driving accidents. Additionally, around 18% of underage drivers have admitted to drunk driving.
Gender may play a role in drunk driving behavior too. For example, 45% of women report finding alternative ways home — such as calling a significant other or a friend — after a night of drinking. Only around 29% of men have utilized alternatives like rideshares after drinking.
People are dying
Drunk drivers endanger not only their own lives but also the safety and well-being of everyone else on the road. It is unfair that you or your loved ones take such care and caution when it comes to driving for others to still put you at risk with their dangerous behavior. Common outcomes of drunk driving accidents include:
- Broken bones
- Head injuries
- Death
Losing a loved one is a traumatic experience, especially if his or her death was unexpected. Finances frequently interfere with the grieving process though. Dealing with things like lost incomes and funeral expenses can feel impossible at times, which is why victims who have lost loved ones to drunk driving accidents often turn to wrongful death lawsuits for help.