The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently issued a press release urging motorists to drive sober for the upcoming holiday weekend. This year’s campaign isn’t just focused on the personal costs and human toll of impaired driving and boating, it’s also focused on the economic impact and societal impacts of drunk driving.
Drunk and impaired driving kills over 10,000 people each year and holiday weekends almost always produce spikes in alcohol-related crashes. In 2012, just during the Labor Day weekend, over 145 people were killed in crashes involving impaired drivers or motorcycle riders. In fact, one in three traffic fatalities occur in crashes involving alcohol impaired drivers. This means that one third of all automobile accident deaths are totally preventable.
In addition to the human toll of drunk driving, the economic impacts of driving under the influence cost Americans billions of dollars each year.
Direct and Indirect Economic Impacts of DUI’s
• In 2010, crashes involving alcohol impaired drivers cost over 47 billion in direct economic impacts. • On average, that’s $152 per person, across the U.S. • When overall harm to society due to loss of life and quality of life are included, the figure shoots up to $195 billion. • The average cost of a minor injury involved with an alcohol impaired car crash is $22,000, with additional losses related to quality of life totaling $25,000. • Direct economic impacts and additional quality-of-life costs increase dramatically depending upon the severity of the injury.
Plan a Safe and Happy Holiday Weekend
You can enjoy the holiday weekend and consume alcohol by making a plan before the festivities begin. Prior planning is critical in making sure you have a safe ride home lined up, if you plan on drinking. It might be as simple as programming a cab service’s number into your phone. Arrange a ride with a designated driver in advance or if you are at a friend’s home just stay the night and leave in the morning! No matter what your plan is or how the evening changes, don’t get behind the wheel. If you are out on the town ask a bartender or friend to find you a safe ride home. All of us at Guenard & Bozarth wish you a happy holiday weekend and that includes being around next week. We see the results of drinking and driving and they can be devastating. Don’t think you can drink just a little and drive safely because Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving!
If you have an issue of any sort please give us a call. We can be reached at 888-809-1075 or by visiting www.gblegal.com We Can Help!
