Drinking and Driving Consequences and Effects

More detailed descriptions of the NSDUH are available elsewhere (Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, 2018). The present study addresses prior gaps by examining the prevalence and trends of DUI of alcohol in the United States since 2002 using data from National Survey of Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). We present population-based prevalence estimates for past-year DUI of alcohol among all respondents aged 18 or older and various subgroups by sociodemographic characteristics and criminal justice involvement.

Even taking the lowest figure for each of these costs, a DUI conviction could set you back around $6,000. In DUI cases that incur higher costs, you could be looking at financial losses in excess of $20,000. Keep in mind that we are talking about first-time offenses here; for second and third offenses, the cost of a DUI conviction is likely to be at least double that figure. Plus, this calculation does not take into account the financial consequences of lost productivity, time spent off work, medical costs, compensation and money spent on alternative means of transportation.

Substance Abuse Evaluations and Treatment for DUI Offenders

A test that reveals an unlawful alcohol or drug concentration will usually result in license suspension, regardless of whether the driver is convicted of a DUI in criminal court. And drivers who refuse to submit to a chemical test often face longer license suspension (than that for a failed test) and possibly other penalties and consequences. National surveys also reveal that males and people https://ecosoberhouse.com/ ages 21 to 45 are the most likely to drive after drinking. Although drivers ages 16 to 20 accounted for only 12 million of 957 million drinking–driving trips in 1999, the average BAC among young drinking drivers was 0.10 percent, more than three times the average BAC level for all drinking drivers. Drivers under 21 in all States tend to drive with more passengers in their vehicles.

In particular, some persons may underestimate the adverse consequences of heavy and binge drinking and DUI. Persons differ in the extent that they are averse to risk; for risk-preferers, risk-taking increases their sense of well consequences of drinking and driving being, drinking and driving being only one form of risk-taking. Being addicted to alcohol and/or other substances and hence lack control over alcohol consumption is another potential factor in driving under the influence.

NHTSA is dedicated to eliminating risky behaviors on our nation’s roads

In 2002, 78 percent of people killed in alcohol-related crashes (including drivers, passengers, and pedestrians) were male. Forty-six percent of male traffic deaths are alcohol related, compared with 29 percent of female traffic deaths. Tough enforcement of drunk-driving laws has been a major factor in reducing drunk-driving deaths since the 1980s.

• Depending on the results of your evaluation, you may then be required to attend a court-approved alcohol treatment program.
• Most cases of driving under the influence occur because the driver in question has had too much to drink and does not wish to suffer the inconvenience of leaving their car at home or finding an alternative means of transport to get home from a party or event.
• Every day, 29 people in the U.S. die in an alcohol-related car crash, equaling one preventable death every 50 minutes.
• However, questions were asked about prior DUI arrests and convictions, drinking and driving behavior, citations for other traffic offenses, and the resulting penalties.