Drunk Driving
Every year, drunk driving accidents devastate countless lives and communities. These preventable tragedies cause immense grief for families. Drunk driving remains a critical global issue. By taking action, we can save lives, including our own, and continue to enjoy life. If you need resources or guidance, help is available.
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What Is the Definition of Drunk Driving?
Drunk driving is when a person operates a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. A person’s level of alcohol impairment is determined by what’s called blood alcohol concentration or blood alcohol content (BAC).
Breathalyzers and blood tests measure a person’s BAC level to determine the amount of alcohol in a person’s blood system. The higher the resulting number, the more likely the person is suffering impairments that make them a danger to themselves and others on the road.
In 49 states and Puerto Rico, drunk driving laws determine that a BAC reading of .08 or higher is illegal. (Utah is even more strict, with a BAC legal limit of .05.)
Depending on the jurisdiction and potentially even the severity of the incident, a charge of drunk driving may also be called Driving Under the Influence (DUI) or Driving While Intoxicated (DWI).
Consequences of Drunk Driving
In addition to threatening the driver’s life and safety, driving drunk also threatens the lives and safety of other drivers and pedestrians on the roadways, causing motor vehicle crashes and more than 30% of all traffic fatalities. It is the leading cause of death on our roadways.
However, the consequences of alcohol-impaired driving are far-reaching and can involve legal problems, injuries, emotional trauma, and financial strain—just to name a few.
Legal Consequences
A drunk driving conviction typically results in severe legal penalties, such as:
- Fines
- mandatory education
- Mandatory substance abuse program involvement
- Suspended driver’s licenses (or complete revocation)
- Jail time
A DUI or DWI conviction also creates a criminal record, which can have long-term consequences for employment, housing, and other critical lifestyle opportunities.
Even more, if the driver is drug-impaired (i.e., has used another substance besides alcohol), has additional criminal activity on their record, has caused a severe or fatal crash, and/or is under the legal drinking age, the legal consequences can be much harsher—and harder to recover from.
Financial Stress
Legal fees and fines, property damage, and increased insurance costs are the least devastating of the financial impacts that result from drunk driving.
Among the more severe financial consequences are hefty medical fees that may continue throughout life, the financial loss of a job or future employment opportunities, and the abrupt end of a person’s contribution to their family when they are killed in a drunk driving accident.
Permanent Injuries and Death
Drunk driving crashes can cause severe injuries for the driver, passengers, or others on the road that could forever alter their lives and those of their families.
Serious injuries from alcohol-impaired driving crashes can include:
- Brain damage
- Broken bones
- Severe damage to limbs (including amputation)
- Partial or full paralysis
- Internal organ damage
- Burns
- Scarring or disfigurement
- Death
Emotional Trauma and Mental Health
Survivors of drunk driving accidents, and even the families of those who have lost loved ones in such accidents, may suffer from emotional trauma, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety. Drunk drivers who cause accidents may also develop these issues, as well as feelings of profound guilt and shame.
Social Stigma
Being convicted of drunk driving can affect employment opportunities, one’s reputation in the community, and relationships with family, friends, and loved ones.
The social consequences may include job loss or difficulty finding future employment—especially in roles that require a clean driving record or high levels of trust.
Additionally, the stigma associated with a DUI conviction can lead to strained relationships, social isolation, and a damaged personal reputation, making it challenging to rebuild trust and connections with friends and family.
Restricted Mobility
Losing driving privileges due to a DUI or DWI conviction can restrict the ability to get to work, go to school, run necessary errands, or complete other responsibilities, leading to inconvenience and dependency on others… which, in turn, may further stress relationships.
DUI and DWI also restrict international travel and vacation choices, as some countries do not allow people with these convictions on their records to enter.
For example, Canada bars foreigners arrested and/or convicted of DUI or DWI from entering the country for a minimum of 10 years.
Installation of an Ignition Interlock Device (IID)
If a court allows a driver to keep their license and ability to drive, they may order the installation of an Ignition Interlock Device (IID). This small device gets wired to the car electronics and will require a breath sample before starting the engine.
If the IID detects alcohol, the engine will not start. During driving, the device may also require additional samples to continue driving. Using an IID has strict compliance rules and additional fees, so it further impacts a person’s finances and freedom.
Additional Considerations Before Driving After Drinking
If you have even the slightest concern that you may be alcohol-impaired, it’s just better to call an Uber or hand your keys off to a designated driver.
The chances of being involved in a traffic crash are exponentially higher if driving while drunk, and here are just a few reasons why:
- Alcohol decreases your decision-making abilities are decreased with alcohol, leading to risky behaviors such as speeding, disregarding traffic lights and signs, and distraction.
- Alcohol also slows down thought, making it harder to quickly process and navigate changes in traffic, stoplights, pedestrian movements, and road hazards.
- Alcohol affects motor skills, reflexes, and vision, making it difficult to steer, brake, check mirrors, gear shift, or signal with the speed and clarity of thought and sight that driving demands.
The seemingly simple decision to attempt to drive home after drinking instead of grabbing a ride with friends or calling a taxi or rideshare could be the last decision you ever make.
Drunk Driving Statistics
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which shares many tragic statistics about drunk driving, one person dies from drunk driving every 39 minutes in the United States. The NHTSA also shared that drunk driving accounts for 28% of all traffic-related fatalities in the U.S.
Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) reports that in 2021, a staggering 13,384 Americans died in alcohol-impaired driving traffic deaths. Tragically, 4,300 of those deaths were young people under 21.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA) finds that nearly one in four teen car crashes involve an underage drinking driver and that, on average, three in five people will be involved in a crash due to impaired driving in their lifetime.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 62% of those who died in crashes involving alcohol-impaired drivers in 2020 were the alcohol-impaired drivers themselves.
The other 38% were passengers in the vehicle, other drivers and passengers on the road, or pedestrians. These were preventable deaths, as were the 229 children under 14 years old killed in alcohol-related crashes that year.
Getting Treatment for an Alcohol Problem
Addressing the issue of drunk driving can be challenging, but it’s a life-or-death issue that’s worth the uncomfortable conversation.
Let your friends, family, and children know that it’s never okay to get behind the wheel of a motor vehicle after drinking alcohol and that getting in a car with someone under the influence is just as dangerous.
If you would like to find help for your drinking, there are many programs and resources available. Recognize that your drinking is affecting your ability to drive safely, and remember that you’re not alone.
Reach Out for Help
Talk to a trusted friend, family member, or healthcare professional about your concerns and ask for their support in finding treatment options. Your primary care doctor is a good place to start, as they’ll consider your overall health and needs in recommending treatment paths.
Take advantage of resources like hotlines and online forums; these are easy and speedy ways to receive words from voices of reason and encouragement in the heat of the moment.
Consider Therapy
Talking to someone who can guide you through understanding and addressing the question of “why” is an important tool for recovery. Therapy may also lead you to develop coping strategies to avoid relapse or future tough decisions.
Look Into Inpatient or Outpatient Treatment
Treatment programs exist for all levels, ages, and even lifestyles. Residential or outpatient alcohol rehabilitation programs offer comprehensive support, including detoxification, counseling, and therapy.
Create a Safety Plan
Before you step out, have a plan in place for later. Whether that’s being ready with rideshare apps downloaded and logged in on your phone, having sober family and friends on speed dial or text, knowing where you can safely stay the night, or removing access to your vehicle, it’s crucial to have a Plan A, B, and even C.
This way, the next time you’re tempted to pick up the car keys after putting down a drink, you won’t even have to weigh your options and potentially make a fatal choice.
Stay Committed
Recovery from alcohol addiction is a lifelong journey that requires dedication and perseverance. Stay committed to your treatment plan, attend appointments and meetings regularly, and reach out for help when needed.
Don’t shy away from Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) Meetings, as joining a support group like AA can provide you with community, accountability, and encouragement from others experiencing similar struggles.
Decide Against Drunk Driving with These Resources
- SAMHSA’s Online Treatment Locator
- 1-800-662-4357 (HELP)
- Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD)
- https://madd.org/
- 1-877-MADD-HELP (1-877-623-3435) 24/7 hotline
- Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) Support Chapters
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) treatment navigator
- Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
- Lifering Recovery Groups
- SMART Recovery Meetings
- National Institute of Health (NIH)’s Rethinking Drinking Worksheets and Calculators
FAQs About Drunk Driving
What are the signs of drunk driving?
Aside from observing someone who has been drinking pick up their car keys and get into their vehicle, there are other clues that someone may be driving drunk:
- Swerving or weaving
- Driving too slowly or too fast
- Tailgating
- Inability to stay inside the lane lines or driving in the wrong lane
- Slow response at traffic lights and signs
- Erratic braking or sudden stopping
- Driving without headlights and signals at night or in inclement weather
- Presence of alcohol bottles or cans
Is driving drunk worse than driving tired?
Driving drunk and driving tired are both forms of driving under impairment, which is objectively very dangerous for the driver and others on the road. Both are preventable and may affect the driver’s judgment, reflexes and reaction time, concentration, vision, and decisions.
Don’t drive drunk or tired. In both cases, having a safe plan beforehand can eliminate a tough decision under stress.
Why do people drive drunk?
There is no one answer for why people drive drunk, as the reasoning can change depending on the person, situation, location, and other factors. The act of drinking alcohol already depresses your ability to reason.
Combine that with a social scene that might encourage risk-taking, or a hesitancy to leave your car and take a taxi or call a friend for a ride, or even denial or the shame of being someone who has had too much to drink to drive home… and it’s a recipe for bad decisions.
What age does drunk driving occur the most?
According to the NHTSA, in 2021, the highest percentage of drunk drivers with BACs of .08 or more were in the age range of 21 to 34, with four male drunk drivers for every female drunk driver.
These younger demographics are more likely to take risks and generally have higher rates of alcohol consumption.
How common is drunk driving?
In the United States, the NHTSA finds that alcohol-impaired driving accounts for 28% of all traffic-related deaths.
On a global scale, the numbers change. Still, drunk driving remains a common, serious issue, with the World Health Organization (WHO) estimating that traffic accidents involving alcohol account for a significant percentage of road accidents and deaths worldwide.
