According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration records, 29 people die every day in alcohol-related crashes in the United States. Drunk driving accidents resulting in fatalities have decreased by one-third over the last three decades. Each year 10,000 lives are lost to drunk driving crashes. In New Jersey and in other states, government reports claim alcohol is responsible for one out of every 10 deaths in people between the ages of 20 and 64 years.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention claim excessive alcohol consumption leads to car and motorcycle accidents and violence. Alcohol may also be a contributing factor to fatal cases of breast cancer, liver and heart disease. Reports show that 70 percent of drinking deaths involve men with New Mexico having the highest fatality rates and New Jersey having the lowest rates.
According to the NHTSA, 1,180 people died in accidents on the nation’s roads in a recent year, with one-third of those involved in drunk driving crashes from Dec. 18-31. Another alcohol-related problem that receives far less attention is impaired pedestrians. The message has always been to not drink and drive, but little is heard about the dangers of impaired walking. Reports show that 25 percent of pedestrian fatalities involve pedestrians with a BAC greater than 0.20.
The coordinator for ASAP, Army Substance Abuse Program, recommends only driving when sober and planning for a ride home after drinking. Innocent people are injured every day in drunk driving accidents that may have been avoided by securing a designated driver. In New Jersey, those injured in drunk driving accidents may consult with a diligent personal injury lawyer to review the case and determine what legal actions are necessary.
Source: Samson Robinson, “Fort Meade: Seminar to highlight drunk, drugged driving dangers“, Samson Robinson, Dec. 5, 2017