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According to the Center of Disease Control, approximately 30 people every day are killed in an alcohol related car accident. That is almost 1 death every 48 minutes. Understanding and education on these types of accidents can help prevent them from happening to our loved ones or to ourselves. Statistics are always changing as new data is reported. The statistics presented are based on available information and do not change the fact that alcohol-related car accidents steal lives and need to be prevented.

What time of day do accidents involving alcohol happen and how many of these crashes lead to fatalities?
The majority of alcohol related car crashes, about 55%, occur between the hours of midnight to 3am. Weekends and holidays also contribute to a higher percentage of alcohol related accidents. Nighttime related accidents typically involve not only alcohol, but also speeding and less use of safety restraints. Other high times of alcohol related car accidents occur between 6pm-midnight and 3am-6am. Approximately 32% of all fatal car accidents involved alcohol impaired drivers.

How can we prevent alcohol related car accidents and be safe?

  • Be sure to have a designated driver if you are going to be drinking or call a taxi.
  • Hide the keys from a friend who has been drinking too much. This preventative act could save lives.
  • Party hosts should be aware of guests drinking, serve plenty of food and non-alcoholic beverages and offer alternative transportation home for guests.
  • Be aware on the road of erratic drivers who may be impaired.

Signs a driver may be impaired:

  • Making wide turns.
  • Swerving or drifting in lanes.
  • Driving very slow.
  • Stopping for no reason.
  • Braking frequently.
  • Driving without headlights.

The Cost of Alcohol Related Accidents
For every fatality the cost related to that death is approximately 3.5 million dollars (monetary and quality of life loss.) The costs include: work loss, public service costs for police, fire, ambulance and helicopter services, property damages, court costs and lost quality of life. According to Mother’s Against Drunk Driving, about 1/3 of all impaired drivers are repeat offenders. Drunk Driving costs the United States $132 billion a year.
Be educated on the statistics and on ways to prevent others from driving drunk. Not only could this save your own life, it can save the lives of others.