The Problem of Drunk/Drug Driving
Simply put, drunk/drug driving is a law enforcement concern because alcohol/drugs increases the risk that drivers will get in traffic crashes and kill or injure themselves or others. Alcohol/drug impairment is the primary factor in traffic fatalities. In the United States, where drunk/drug driving is among the most common types of arrest made by law enforcement, the number of alcohol/drug-related crash deaths is roughly the same as the number of homicides in this country. In addition, vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death in young people ages 15 to 20; many of these are alcohol/drug-related.
Facts
Every day, almost 30 people in the United States die in motor vehicle crashes that involve an alcohol/drug-impaired driver. This amounts to one death every 51 minutes.
In 2013, 10,076 people were killed and approximately 290,000 were injured. Each crash, each death, each injury impacts not only the person in the crash, but family, friends, classmates, coworkers and more. Even those who have not been directly touched help pay the $132 billion yearly price tag of drunk driving.
In 2009, the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) reported that 3,952 fatally injured drivers tested positive for drug involvement. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) National Roadside Survey, more than 16% of weekend, nighttime drivers tested positive for illegal, prescription, or over-the-counter (OTC) medications (11% tested positive for illegal drugs). In 2009, 18% of fatally injured drivers tested positive for at least one drug (illegal, prescription and/or over-the-counter).
The “Drink Wheel” is a form that you can fill out that when completed will instantly compute your estimated blood/breath alcohol concentration (“BAC”) or blood alcohol content.
Disclaimer
The results that are generated are from the “Drink Wheel” are rough estimates of an average healthy person’s BAC assuming typical beverage sizes, recipes and alcohol content. The BAC estimates generated by the “Drink Wheel” should not be used to infer anyone’s fitness to work, drive or perform any other task or duty.
A person’s actual BAC is dependent on many factors. This site includes a more detailed discussion of the Pharmacology and disposition of alcohol in humans.