Driving under the influence is not only illegal, but also dangerous. People are killed by drunk drivers, as well as drivers under the influence of drugs every day.
Here are some facts that you might or might not be aware of:
- Impairment is not based on the type of alcohol a person drinks, but on the number of drinks that imbibe over a certain period of time. The only way a person can sober up is through the passing of time. Despite all the myths, coffee, a cold shower, or exercising will not “sober up” a person.
- On average, a driver under the influence will drive that way at least 80 times prior to their first arrest.
- Every 53 minutes someone is killed in a drunk driving crash in the U.S. That equates to 27 people per day. And every 90 seconds, someone is injured as the result of a drink driving incident.
- The U.S. has a strict No Tolerance policy for drivers under the age of 21. That means that if you are under 21 there cannot be any alcohol in your blood system if you are behind the wheel. The charge can include fines, loss of license, or jail time.
- In 2011, 9,878 people were either killed or injured by a drunk driver.
- Amongst teens, traffic accidents are the leading cause of death. Roughly a third of these accidents involved alcohol or other substances.
- In 2010, 211 children were killed by drunk driving crashes. 62% of those children were riding in the car with the impaired driver.
Know the Facts
Being aware of the consequences of driving under the influence can help influence you to make the decision to drive safely. There are a lot of statistics surrounding the topic. Make sure you aren’t one of the numbers by pledging to never drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Working with an Attorney
If you have been charged with a DUI you should immediately contact a DUI defense attorney who can help reduce any jail time, fines, or other penalties that you will face.
Source: Dosomething.org, 11 Facts About Driving Under the Influence, 2014
