All Maryland residents deserve to be safe while traveling in their vehicles, and while many people take care on the road, others aren’t as responsible. Unfortunately, too many drivers get behind the wheel while impaired and cause disasters. These are some startling statistics about this problem.
Understanding impaired driving
Although most people think of impaired driving involving alcohol or drug consumption, it can also occur when a driver is drowsy. Any activity or situation that causes drivers to lose focus and get into car accidents counts. This is because impaired driving diminishes concentration, judgment and reaction time, making it impossible to safely control a vehicle.
Impaired driving statistics
Younger drivers are the most likely to engage in impaired driving caused by alcohol use. According to the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), those in the 21- to 24-year age group accounted for the highest number of fatal crashes at 26%. Young men are also most likely to drive while impaired and made up approximately 22% of all fatal accidents involving alcohol in 2020. That year, young males also admitted to using marijuana and other drugs before driving.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that over 13,000 people died in impaired driving accidents in 2021. The CDC revealed that 37 people are killed in drunk driving crashes daily, which equates to one person dying every 39 minutes.
A recent survey asked drivers about alcohol’s effect on them. In 2021, 38% of respondents said they realized that drinking strongly impacted them and their ability to drive. One year earlier, only 30.5% stated the same, and nearly 24% of drivers said they believed four or fewer drinks prevented them from driving.
Impaired driving puts everyone at risk of an accident resulting in severe injuries or worse. Using common sense and getting a ride instead of driving can keep you safer.