Costs borne by society rather than individual crash victims, totals more $200 billion annually, says NHTSA.
While the dangers of distracted driving have arisen in recent years, impaired-driving remains a serious issue that has not gone away, according to GEICO. Drivers and motorcyclists under the influence of drugs, alcohol or medication were involved in 5,592 fatal crashes in 2016, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). By comparison, 3,210 fatal crashes involved distracted drivers.
Impaired-Driving Facts
- The FBI estimates 1,017,808 drivers were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or narcotics in 2016, the last year for which there are complete statistics.
- Drugs other than alcohol (legal and illegal) are involved in about 16 percent of motor vehicle crashes, according to the NHTSA.
- Alcohol use is a major factor in motorcycle crashes, and alcohol-impaired motorcycle riders are less likely to use helmets, per the Insurance Information Institute.
- According to the National Safety Council, highway deaths related to impaired-driving increase during holiday periods, including New Year’s Day, Independence Day and Thanksgiving.
The first four states with legalized recreational marijuana use saw as much as a 6% increase in vehicle crashes compared with neighboring states without such laws, according to research from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and Highway Loss Data Institute.
For the safety’s sake, GEICO wants drivers and motorcyclists to never operate a vehicle under the influence of alcohol and drugs. There are plenty of other options available. For example, consider taking a rideshare or taxi, using public transportation or assigning a sober designated driver to get you home safely.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
Happy New Year or is that Old Year? Impaired-Driving Still Remains Primary Cause of Deaths
Costs borne by society rather than individual crash victims, totals more $200 billion annually, says NHTSA.
While the dangers of distracted driving have arisen in recent years, impaired-driving remains a serious issue that has not gone away, according to GEICO. Drivers and motorcyclists under the influence of drugs, alcohol or medication were involved in 5,592 fatal crashes in 2016, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). By comparison, 3,210 fatal crashes involved distracted drivers.
Impaired-Driving Facts
The first four states with legalized recreational marijuana use saw as much as a 6% increase in vehicle crashes compared with neighboring states without such laws, according to research from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and Highway Loss Data Institute.
For the safety’s sake, GEICO wants drivers and motorcyclists to never operate a vehicle under the influence of alcohol and drugs. There are plenty of other options available. For example, consider taking a rideshare or taxi, using public transportation or assigning a sober designated driver to get you home safely.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.