Drunk Driving Statistics You Should Know

First-time offenders who had ignition interlock devices on their car are 60% less likely to have a repeat offense than those who did not use an interlock device (Source: Alcoholism Blog)

Drivers with a BAC level of .08 or higher involved in fatal crashes
were eight times more likely to have a prior conviction for driving
while impaired (DWI) than were drivers with no alcohol - 8% and 1%,
respectively (Source: Alcohol Alert)

Young men ages 18 to 20 (under the legal drinking age) reported driving while impaired more frequently than any other age group (Shults et al. 2002, Quinlan et al. 2005)

Alcohol kills 6½ times more youth than all other illicit drugs combined (Source: Mothers Against Drunk Driving).

Alcohol-related traffic fatalities account for 41% of all traffic fatalities (Source: The Century Council).

I could go on and on about all the statistics that are out there, but hopefully you'll read these stats and really think about the consequences of drunk driving.  Is it really worth risking your life and the lives of others? 

The methods used by police officers to determine if you've been drunk driving include sobriety tests. Below are the most common methods:

Field Sobriety Tests - This is also known by officers as "FST"s. These types of tests determine a driver's ability to pay attention, their physical coordination, and how well the driver can keep their balance. These field sobriety tests include "walk the line", saying the alphabet, one-leg-stand, walk-and-turn, and the horizontal gaze nystagmus (HGN) which is following an object like an officer's pen with your eyes from side to side.

Breath Test Machines - There are many brands of breath test machines, or breathalyzers, to come up with a driver's B.A.C. (Blood Alcohol Content). In most states the legal blood alcohol content limit is 0.08%.

Blood Tests - If you decline to submit to a breath test, a blood tests can be given instead. Blood tests can be conducted by a hospital staff member if you prefer.

DUI lawyers have discovered time and time again that breath tests have actually been unreliable in determining whether or not someone has been drunk driving. What many people don't know is that there are so many things that can affect breath test results like the driver's body temperature, what they ate that day, their breath patterns, and other compounds in the breath.

There are several types of breath analyzing machines on the market and law enforcement have to make sure that these machines are properly maintained. Otherwise, they could lead to false readings. It's important to keep in mind that sobriety tests are not evidence enough to prove someone has been drinking and driving.

When you think of a drunk driver - what comes to mind? Some people think that there is a stereotype for people who drink and drive, but in actuality anyone who drinks can get arrested for drunk driving.

It doesn't matter if you're young, old, rich, or poor - everyone is susceptible and can make this mistake of driving while drunk.

A couple years ago a high school teacher was convicted of a DUI manslaughter. Now the teacher is serving fifteen years in jail. Yes, even high school teachers who we think are so responsible - the people we admire and respect - can make mistakes. You just never know.

However, what I've found from reading various articles about drunk driving is that many drunk drivers are alcoholics who don't seem to really care that they're intoxicated behind the wheel.

However, I still understand that people make mistakes. I've done it myself and fortunately wasn't stopped. As long as you learn from those mistakes and vow to change your behavior, that's ok. Unfortunately, the drunk drivers who are alcoholics need a great deal of help. That is an issue that our society has yet to really address.

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If you live here in San Diego and you've been caught drinking and driving, contact a San Diego DUI attorney as soon as possible!

Because more young women are becoming party-goers, the number of drunken women-related accidents has risen significantly, says the American Automobile Association.

Men still comprise a huge portion of DUI accidents but during the last ten years, more women are keeping up with this number. In San Diego county, for instance, the number of road accidents caused by drunk women rose from 49 to 110. These accidents mostly involved young females with ages between 18 and 24.

Stephen Bloch of the AAA believes that the biggest factor in this rise is the growing number of women who drive and who drive for longer miles. Women have become a huge presence in the traffic population, driving aggressively more than ever.

Another factor that Bloch noted is the increase in the alcoholic beverages in the market. The alcohol industry has come up with sweet drinks largely targeted toward the female audience. With more and more celebrities being arrested for drunk driving like Lindsey Lohan, Paris Hilton, and Nicole Ritchie, young females seem to find it okay to party, get drunk, and drive.

In response, the government has launched strong education initiatives that would warn teenagers, especially college students, of the dangers of alcohol.

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If you're arrested for a DUI in Orange County, make sure interview a few DUI lawyers in Orange County before hiring one.