Drunk driving incidents have decreased 30 percent in the past 5 years, according to data recently released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, reaching a low not seen for almost 20 years in 2010.
The CDC Vital signs study reported 112 million instances of drunk driving throughout the year, representing nearly 300,000 each day. While the number is high, this represents a substantial drop from 2008 levels of 131 million episodes, or the 161 million that were reported in 2006.
Almost a third of deadly collisions involve an alcohol-impaired driver, accounting for almost 11,000 deaths annually, leading to higher auto insurance quotes. Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration also shows deaths in crashes involving alcohol-impaired driving decreased significantly from 2008 to 2009.
The CDC recommends implementing measures such as the installation of ignition interlocks in the vehicles of convicted drunk drivers. These devices administer a test and prevent drunk drivers from using their cars. According to the CDC, their installation reduces re-arrest rates by as much as two-thirds. The agency also notes the Transportation Research Board has estimated that implementing sobriety checkpoints could prevent up to 3,000 deaths on the road each year.
Binge Drinking and Drunk Driving
The CDC notes 85 percent of drunk driving episodes were reported by individuals who engaged in binge drinking. Of the 112 million incidents reported, many were accounted for by the same individuals who engaged in the activity repeatedly.
According to The Associated Press, other research indicates people are still drinking just as much. Some have attributed the change in part to the economy, theorizing that drunk driving has decreased because more alcohol is being imbibed at home rather than at restaurants, bars and similar locations.
Drunk Driving Demographics
Men were far more likely to engage in alcohol-impaired driving, accounting for 80 percent of reported instances. In particular, young men between the ages of 21 and 34 were responsible for 32 percent of drunk driving episodes despite being only 11 percent of the adult population.
While improvements seem apparent drinking and driving remains a problem and often leads to high auto insurance quotes for offenders. Binge drinking does not seem to have decreased, and the delayed reaction times and blunted reflexes of drunk drivers continue to make the roads more dangerous than they would be otherwise.