A Review of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention VitalSigns
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), drinking and driving was and continues to be a serious problem for our country. As noted in their vital signs findings, one in three fatal traffic accidents involves an alcohol-impaired driver. Drinking and driving results in over 10,000 deaths each year.
As reported by the CDC:
- In 2010, adults in the United States reported drinking and driving an estimated 112 million times.
- 85 percent of the drinking and driving episodes reported were by binge drinkers.
- Men are more likely to drink and drive than women. Four in five of those who reported drinking and driving were men.
- A blood alcohol concentration of .15 percent will likely lead to “serious difficulty controlling the car and focusing on driving.”
- A blood alcohol concentration of .10 percent can delay a person’s reaction time and may make it difficult to drive within a lane or stop in time.
- A blood alcohol concentration of .08 percent can make it difficult for a person to control their speed and may impede their ability to process information.
- A blood alcohol concentration of .05 percent or about 3 beers can reduce a person’s coordination and may make it difficult for them to steer.
- Even a blood alcohol concentration of .02 percent can affect a person’s driving by resulting in a loss of judgment and “trouble doing two tasks at the same time.”
Drinking and driving can not only ruin your life, it can affect the lives of other drives. To save lives and stop preventable deaths, drive sober. Even a relatively small amount of alcohol can greatly affect your ability to safely operate a motor vehicle.