Drunk driving has been a problem on the roads for as long as cars have been. In fact, we’re pretty sure drinking and driving was an issue before cars, and included numerous instances of people recklessly riding horses through crowds while drunk.
Most people know that drunk driving is a serious problem, but many do not fully understand just how dangerous it is. We’ve gathered some of the most shocking statistics in hopes that that more people will see the truth about drunk driving.
Drunk Driving Statistics
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the Centers for Disease Control, and MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving):
- There are 27 drunk driving deaths every day in the U.S.
- Another person is injured in a drunk driving accident every two minutes.
- On average, about 65 percent of people will one day be involved in a drunk driving related accident in their lifetime.
- Drunk driving is often a repeated offense, and about a third of drunk drivers are caught driving while intoxicated more than once.
- Drunk drivers have typically driven drunk at least 80 times before they are caught and arrested.
- Including damages and costs of trials, drunk driving costs the U.S. over $132 billion every year.
- Drunk driving personally costs the average American over $500 each year.
- Drunk driving is most often committed by drivers in their mid to late 20s.
- More than 28 million people confessed to drunk driving in 2013.
- Drunk driving deaths are 400 percent more likely to occur at night.
- In 2014 alone, nearly 9,700 people were killed in drunk driving accidents, meaning approximately one every hour, and another 290,000 were injured.
- Every day, more than 300,000 people drive drunk, but only 3,200 are caught and arrested.
Drunk drivers are responsible for so much heartache and damage in the world today. Do something to help lessen the impact drunk drivers have on our roads by sharing what you’ve learned about drunk driving. Together, we can enlighten the rest of the world and avoid as many drunk driving deaths as possible.