Alcohol plays a huge role in the number of fatal car accidents that occur in Illinois. In fact, drunk driving causes one-third of all car accident fatalities in the U.S. Every year, our country loses over 10,000 lives because of drunk driving accidents.
Why Drunk Driving is So Dangerous
Drunk driving is outlawed in all 50 states because it is one of the most dangerous things you can do behind the wheel. When drivers have a blood-alcohol concentration beyond .08, they are considered legally drunk. However, any amount of alcohol can potentially impair a driver’s reaction time and decision-making abilities.
Driving while drunk is extremely dangerous because it impairs a person’s ability to make split-second decisions. Drunk drivers may also lose inhibition and engage in other reckless behaviors like speeding or distracted driving. When a driver loses focus on the road, it only takes a split-second for an accident to occur.
Drunk Driving is on the Decline
There is some good news about drunk driving. Over the past few decades, the number of people who decide to drive drunk has been steadily decreasing. Since 1985, there has been a 44% drop in drunk driving deaths. The number of fatal motor vehicle accidents involving drunk driving has also gone down by 31% in that time. Increased awareness about the dangers of drunk driving combined with more enforcement of penalties may have helped.
Victims of Drunk Drivers
The worst consequences of drunk driving are the many deaths of innocent vehicle occupants and pedestrians. Drunk driving accidents also lead to many serious injuries that can be life-altering. If a person is charged for a DUI, they risk fines, jail time, and loss of their driver’s license.