Dangers of Buzzed Driving

 Posted on December 00,0000 in Drunk Driving Accidents

We have all heard the opinions and controversy surrounding the topic of buzzed driving, but when it comes to car accident statistics, there is one undeniable truth: Buzzed driving is still considered drunk driving. Even just a little buzz, or just one drink too many can impair a driver and cause them to make a poor decision behind the wheel. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) stresses the fact that drinking alcohol impairs more than just our ability to drive, it affects our judgement about whether or not we can or should get behind the wheel. What the Statistics Indicate According to the NHTSA, almost 10,000 people die on our roadways each year due to drunk driving and America has more drunk drivers than most countries have people. Every 23 minutes, an impaired driver claims a life between the hours of midnight and 3 a.m. These drunk driving statistics include buzzed drivers, who by definition are found to have a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .01 to .07. Although this BAC is technically under the legal limit acceptable for driving, studies have shown that even these levels of alcohol in the system can be dangerous. One such study conducted in 2013 by Professor Emeritus David P Phillips (Department of Sociology, University of California at San Diego), published in the Injury Prevention Journal found that, “Even minimally ‘buzzed’ drivers are 46 percent more likely to be officially blamed for a crash than are the sober drivers they collide with.” The study concluded that there is no such thing as safe drinking and driving, and that even buzzed drivers put themselves and others at risk the moment they get behind the wheel. Preventing Impaired Driving Accidents The NHTSA’s statistics surrounding buzzed and drunk driving are overwhelming, and their ongoing public campaign efforts continue to emphasize the need for awareness throughout the country. Putting a stop to buzzed driving begins with every single driver who gets behind the wheel. Everyone can hold themselves and their friends accountable for the choice to drive buzzed. You can practice the following to prevent impaired driving accidents:

• Always designate a sober driver before you go out. It is common for at least one friend in a group to say they are okay to drive because they are only “buzzed”. Plan ahead to avoid this situation.
• If you do not plan ahead and designate a sober driver for your outing, at least designate someone as the decision maker - the one who will call the cab when it is time to go home. Call the cab no matter what, even if someone thinks they are okay to drive.
• Stay put. If you plan to have drinks in a personal setting, such as someone’s home, make arrangements beforehand to possibly stay on the premises to avoid getting in a car altogether.
• Program at least three numbers in your phone for responsible transportation following an outing where there will be drinks involved: at least one or two cab companies and one (or more) good friends you can count on and call in the event that you have had too much.

If you are injured in a buzzed or drunk driving incident, you need to contact a professional Lake County car accident attorney to protect your best interests. Call Salvi & Maher, LLP today at 847-662-3303 to schedule a free consultation.

Sources:

http://www.nhtsa.gov/Impaired http://www.nhtsa.gov/nhtsa/buzzeddriving/index.html http://injuryprevention.bmj.com/content/early/2014/01/07/injuryprev-2013-040925.abstract?sid=379fb47c-59b4-4ef1-8766-466c834a46a3