Certain People More Likely to Drink and Drive

When it comes to drinking and driving, there are certain groups of people who are most at risk. While anyone can certainly take a drink and get behind the wheel, these people are statistically more apt to do so. People from all walks of life make poor decisions, but the numbers tell us that specific groups are more likely to drive under the influence.

Young People

According to the Centers for Disease Control, or CDC, young people are at a greater risk of being involved in an accident while intoxicated. Alcohol metabolizes differently in everyone, but young people tend to have a lower tolerance than adults. This can lead to a higher level of impairment.

When looking at traffic fatalities in 2013 due to drunk driving, those drivers who had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% or higher tended to be younger. One in every three drivers was between 21 and 24 years old, 29% were between the ages of 25 and 34, and just under a quarter were between the ages of 35 and 44.

Prior Convictions

People who have prior convictions for driving under the influence are close to six times more likely to drive under the influence compared to drivers who have never been charged with drunk driving. Keep in mind that this statistic only includes the people who have been convicted. The numbers do not include those who have only been arrested.

Motorcyclists

Thousands of motorcyclists were killed in traffic collisions in 2013. Of those who died, over a quarter had a blood alcohol concentration level of 0.08% or higher. Close to half of those people killed with a BAC above the legal limit were over the age of 40. Those between ages 40 and 44 have the highest rate of mortality in these accidents, at a rate of 44%.

There is no certain predictor of who will choose to get behind the wheel after they have been drinking, but there are people who are more likely to do so. No matter who you are sharing the road with, be a defensive driver and stay alert. Never expect other drivers to be worried about your safety or that of your family.

If you have been injured in a drunk driving accident, call our offices today. Our personal injury attorneys will review the details of your accident at no cost to you and advise you if you may have a case. Contact us now.

Posted In: Drunk Driving