Alcohol is often a part of social get-togethers, but it’s important to know your limit in order to keep yourself and other people safe. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 14% more people died in alcohol-impaired driving traffic deaths in 2021 than in 2020. Check out these numbers to learn more about drunk driving and the danger it poses.
Driving Under the Influence: By the Numbers
- .02: Blood alcohol level where some loss of judgement is detected
- .08: Legal Limit for blood alcohol level to be issued a DUI
- 31%: Percentage of traffic crash fatalities in the United States involving drunk drivers
- 37: People in the United States that die in drunk driving crashes every day
- 39: The number of minutes between each U.S. fatality due to driving while intoxicated
- 50: The number of states in which drunk driving is illegal
- 62%: Percentage of people who died in drunk driving crashes in 2020 who were the drunk driver themselves
- 67.58%: Percentage of fatal crashes involving drunk drivers in 2021 that occurred at night
- $123.3B: Cost of crash deaths involving alcohol-impaired drivers in 2020, such as medical expenses and estimates for lives lost
- 229: Number of children 14 and under who died in crashes involving alcohol-impaired drivers in 2020
- 13,384: Total number of deaths from drinking and driving crashes in 2021
What Qualifies as a Drink?
In the United States, a “standard drink” contains 0.6 fluid ounces or 14 grams of pure alcohol, which translates to different quantities for different types of alcoholic beverages. Whether you’re drinking beer, wine, or hard liquor, these are good guidelines for a “standard drink.”
- 12 ounces of regular beer, typically 5% alcohol
- 5 ounces of wine, typically 12% alcohol
- 1.5 ounces of distilled spirits, which is about 40% alcohol
According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, alcohol can take between 30-45 minutes to reach its maximum effect in your bloodstream. As alcohol is metabolized, it takes more time to be broken down than absorbed, in other words, its easier to get drunk than regain sobriety.
In addition, there are multiple elements that can alter the effect alcohol has on you. Including genetics, body weight, gender, age, food in your stomach, medications in your system and how healthy you are.
Driving While Intoxicated During the Holidays
1,013
Number of people killed in drunk driving crashes in Dec. 2021
375
Number of motor vehicle fatalities anticipated during the New Year holiday period
Source: National Safety Council
I Was Involved in a Drunk Driving Crash. What Should I Do?
Keches Law Group is one of the largest and most successful plaintiffs’ personal injury firm in Massachusetts. Our personal injury attorneys are well-versed in all areas of motor vehicle personal injury claims.
When you are involved in a car crash, it’s important to keep a few things in mind:
- Always exchange information with other drivers involved and report the crash to police so accident details are properly documented.
- If injured, seek immediate medical attention as well as any follow-up care necessary.
- Take photographs of damage to the vehicles and the scene of the accident.
- If you suffer injuries in a car accident, consult with an attorney so that your rights can be protected.
Keches Law Can Help
If you or someone you know was injured in a drunk driving car crash, the experienced personal injury attorneys at Keches Law Group can help you.
Insurance claims can be confusing and complex, but Keches Law lawyers are here to help you. Contact us today and have a lawyer walk you through each step of the process.
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