The Dangers of Drunk Driving Comprehensive Wellness Centers

When it comes to drunk driving, it affects more than just the driver. In 2021, among children (14 and younger) killed in motor vehicle crashes, 25% were killed in drunk-driving crashes. Of those deaths, more than half the time (55%) the child killed was in the vehicle driven by the drunk driver. NHTSA data also reveals that men are more likely to drive drunk than women. Specifically, men are involved in four times the amount of drunk driving accidents as women, and men account for 80% of all drunk driving fatalities.

These costs may include towing and storage fees, legal fines, and attorneys fees. You may also be required to pay for DUI driver training on your own, and as a result of your DWI or DUI arrest, your insurance fees will skyrocket. Therefore, having a legal limit for drunk driving of 0.08 percent creates a problem, because it sends the incorrect message that if you aren’t legally drunk, you are fine to drive. However, for many, this is not the case, and whether or not you are safe to drive depends on a number of individual factors. Alcohol has a substantial effect on a person’s judgment, coordination, reaction time, concentration, and vision, each of which you might imagine is pretty important when driving a car. The effect of alcohol on these skills puts you and others in danger of something bad happening.

Being Charged for DUI

Without the ability to responsibly judge situations, someone who has been drinking may decide that they are okay to drive. When driving without a clear head, you’re less able to predict potential problems on the road.Drinking also causes memory lapses, or blackouts, where your brain doesn’t transfer short-term memories into long-term memories. When this happens, typically not until your body reaches a BAC of 0.16 percent, you may not be aware of your actions. With this comes court-appointed fines and possible license suspensions.

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Slow Reaction Times And Reduced Concentration

That means that tax dollars are being used every year for these accidents instead of being invested in community growth and development. As if being more at risk of causing death to yourself and others wasn’t enough, anyone who chooses to drink and drive is also putting themselves at risk for serious legal consequences. Even a BAC this low can lead to visual impairment and impaired https://ecosoberhouse.com/ judgment, which are two key factors in causing accidents. A person with a BAC this low will also have a declined ability to perform multiple tasks at the same time, a skill often needed while driving. Choosing to drive yourself home when you are impaired by alcohol is putting not only your own life at risk but also those of anyone else on the road while you are driving.

On average, a person has driven drunk at least 80 times before they are arrested. There are 300,000 incidents of drunk driving each day across the US. And financial hardship is only one of the negative results of getting behind the wheel after having too much to drink. Many people also wind up serving jail time as a result of this one bad decision to drink and drive. If you’re planning on drinking, make arrangements to have a designated driver or call a taxi.

How can you stop drinking and driving?

According to the Spanish Directorate General of Traffic (DGT), alcohol is involved in 30-50% of fatal accidents and in 15 to 35% of crashes causing serious injury, constituting a major risk factor in traffic accidents. This problem is especially important among young people and worsens on weekend nights [3,4]. Federal regulation constitutes a DWI as driving with a BAC level of 0.08% or higher. A motor vehicle may include car, truck, bicycle, golf cart, snowmobile and jet skis. Each state has its own laws surrounding DWI convictions such as the fines involved, jail time and possible revoked or suspended license. Depending on the legal charges, some states may also require community service time or alcoholism treatment.

If you plan to party away from home—and this includes on the water—be sure to appoint a designated driver for the car or operator of the boat. Experiments have shown that drivers at the 0.02 level experience a decline in visual functions—their ability to track a moving object—and experience a decline in the ability to perform two tasks at the same time. One study examined the length of abstinence among those who are addicted to alcohol—as well as among drug addicts—and found that the longer someone remained abstinent, the lower the risk of relapse. If you are suffering from alcoholism and suspect that may be the root of your desire to drive drunk, it’s time to seek professional help. In general, if you have doubts about your ability to drive safely, you shouldn’t be driving.

Drunk Driving Statistics

Some drivers may not even show warning signs of being under the influence, but that doesn’t mean it’s any less dangerous. It’s important to remember that any form of drinking and driving is illegal and can come with strict punishment. Tough enforcement of drunk-driving laws has been a major factor in reducing drunk-driving deaths since the 1980s. Charges range from misdemeanors to felony offenses, and penalties for impaired driving can include driver’s license revocation, fines, and jail time. A first-time offense can cost the driver upwards of $10,000 in fines and legal fees.

Mass media campaigns and police enforcement should not be limited to specific holidays since drink-driving behaviour occurs throughout the year. However, during holiday periods the frequency of enforcement and the visibility of media campaigns can be increased. Convicted drunk drivers are subject to a $1,000 penalty for two consecutive years under the Driver Responsibility Act, for a total of $2,000 in additional costs. There were 44,531 DUI arrests in Pennsylvania in 2021, an increase from the 40,237 arrests made in 2020. The number of DUI-drug arrests continues to be a concern, with 35,023 charges for driving under the influence of an impairing drug filed in 2021.

For a second refusal within seven years, the suspension is two years. These devices work by requiring the driver to blow into it before starting the vehicle. If the device detects alcohol, it will prevent the vehicle from starting. Ignition interlock devices will also prompt the driver to blow into the device at periods of time during the operation of the vehicle. Apart from the financial aspects of a DUI arrest, there may also be social ramifications. Court appearances, community service requirements or jail time lead to lost time and lost wages — possibly job loss.

• These side effects put the driver, potential passengers, other vehicles, and pedestrians at risk.
• When driving without a clear head, you’re less able to predict potential problems on the road.Drinking also causes memory lapses, or blackouts, where your brain doesn’t transfer short-term memories into long-term memories.
• Drinking and driving increases the risk of accidents due to impaired motor skills, less concentration, slow reaction times, decreased vision, and poor judgment.

If you’re a repeat offender, you’ll face a longer suspension or have your license revoked permanently. You also risk facing legal consequences that can change the trajectory of your life. Remember, drunk driving is a choice with easily avoidable consequences. The driver may also have to complete court-ordered rehab to try to prevent this from occurring again. This is a beneficial program that works with offenders to help them with addiction and dependency issues.