The statistics on drunk driving in America are shocking

Maryland residents have plenty to worry about whenever they get behind the wheel of a vehicle, but usually there are three primary concerns: drowsy drivers, distracted drivers and drunk drivers. All of these dangers have been around almost as long as motor vehicles have existed. Drunk driving, in particular, is a serious problem in America.

NHTSA statistics

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, approximately 28 people die in America every day due to being in a motor vehicle accident that involved a drunk driver. As the NHTSA notes, that is almost one death every 52 minutes. Those are shocking statistics indeed. Fortunately, there is also some evidence that the overall rate of deaths due to drunk driving are dropping in America. For example, the NHTSA statistics show that in one recent year – 2019 – the number of drunk driving deaths reached its lowest point in almost 37 years. Still, in that year alone, there were over 10,140 deaths in drunk driving accidents.

Probably the most frustrating aspect of drunk driving is that it is almost always entirely preventable. What possible reason could a person have for getting behind the wheel of a vehicle after drinking too much and becoming intoxicated? These drivers are negligent and, even worse, reckless. They endanger their own lives and the lives of all others on the roads.

At our law firm, we work with Maryland residents who have been injured in motor vehicle accidents that were caused by drunk drivers. We do our best to attempt to make sure that our clients have the information they need to make good decisions in a personal injury lawsuit. For more information, please visit the motor vehicle accident overview section of our law firm’s website.