| Road accidents can be fatal and sometimes cost | | | | killed in fatal drunk driving crashes were 14 or below. |
| people their lives. Many mishaps on the road are the | | | | An estimated 248,000 people were injured in |
| result of drowsy driving, distracted driving or | | | | alcohol-related crashes -- one person injured |
| aggressive driving. Novice drivers are also the cause | | | | approximately every 2 minutes. The rate of |
| of a lot of accidents. However, most road accidents | | | | alcohol-related crashes is 3 times higher at night than |
| are the result of drunk driving. People high on alcohol | | | | during the day. The percentage of drivers involved in |
| usually drive recklessly and cause many fatal | | | | alcohol-related crashes was higher for males, and the |
| accidents. Because of this, drunk driving is considered | | | | drivers were between 21 and 24 years of age. BAC |
| a felony in the US. According to the National Highway | | | | levels of .08 or higher were found in 27% of |
| Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), any motor | | | | motorcyclists, 21% of light truck drivers and 22% of |
| vehicle accident is considered alcohol-related if either | | | | drivers of passenger cars. The percentage of drivers |
| the offender or the victim involved in the accident is | | | | with the highest BAC levels was lowest for large |
| determined to have had a blood alcohol concentration | | | | trucks. The BAC level among most recorded was .18. |
| or BAC of .01 gram per deciliter (g/dL) or higher. The | | | | Traffic crashes continue to increase in the 15 to 20 |
| Department of Motor Vehicles maintains records and | | | | year old age group. Most states conduct campaigns |
| yearly statistics of all motor crashes and their | | | | against drunk driving and have legislations implementing |
| respective details. | | | | the minimum drinking age of 21 years old. Heavy |
| The details provided by NHTSHA during 2004, are an | | | | penalties are inflicted on establishments that sell alcohol |
| eye opener to the large-scale risks of drunk driving. An | | | | to teenagers. Various surveys continue to be |
| average of one alcohol-related crash occurred every | | | | conducted to find out the causes of teenage |
| 31 minutes in 2004. Twenty-one percent of the children | | | | consumption of alcohol. |