How Dangerous is Driving While Intoxicated?

Intoxicating driving can be defined as driving when a• For every 31 minutes someone is killed with
drug "renders the driver incapable of driving safely" oralcohol-related motor vehicle crashes and nonfatally
"causes the driver to be impaired". The effects ofhurts someone every 2 minutes.
specific drug abuse differ depending on their• According to National Hardcore Drunk
mechanisms of action, the amount consumed, theDriver Project 58% of alcohol-related traffic fatalities in
history of the user, and other factors.2006 involved drivers with a blood alcohol
Why Intoxicated Driving is dangerous?concentration of .15 or above.
The primary concern regarding intoxicated driving is• Studies conducted in several localities have
that driving under the influence of any drug that actsfound that approximately 4 to 14 percent of drivers
on the brain could impair one's judgment, reaction time,who sustained injury or died in traffic accidents tested
and motor skills. Intoxicated driving is a public healthpositive for delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the
concern because it puts not only the driver at risk, butactive ingredient in marijuana.
also passengers and others who share the road.• One study found that about 34% of motor
How dangerous is driving while intoxicated?vehicle crash victims admitted to a Maryland trauma
A number of studies have examined illicit drug use incenter tested positive for "drugs only". About 16%
drivers involved in motor fatal accidents, recklesstested positive for "alcohol only".
driving, or vehicle crashes. For example,• According to 2006 NHTSA data, more than
• According to NHTSA 2006 report, duringhalf of the 414 child passengers ages 14 and younger
2005, 16,885 people in the U.S. died in alcohol-relatedwho died in alcohol-related crashes during 2005 were
motor vehicle crashes, representing 39% of allriding with the drinking driver.
traffic-related deaths.