Drunk driving causes needless death, injuries

Lisa Young/U.S. Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine

The circumstances of accidents caused by impaired driving might vary, but they share the characteristic that each injury and death caused by drunk or drugged driving is totally preventable.

During December, National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month, these statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration provide a valuable perspective on the pervasiveness of impaired driving:

• Every day, 36 people in the United States die and approximately 700 are injured in motor-vehicle crashes that involve an alcohol-impaired driver.

• According to the NHTSA, about three in every 10 Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related crash at some point in their lives.

• In one year, more than 1.4 million drivers were arrested for driving under the influence. Large as this number is, it accounts for less than 1 percent of the 159 million self-reported episodes of alcohol–impaired driving among U.S. adults each year.

• Drugs other than alcohol (for example, marijuana and cocaine) are involved in about 18 percent of motor vehicle driver deaths. It is common for drugs to be combined with alcohol.

Everyone knows drinking and driving is illegal and dangerous for the person behind the wheel, but impaired drivers also pose a danger to passengers and others. In a number of off-duty accidents, Soldiers have lost their lives when riding in cars driven by drunk drivers.

Reducing the incidence of impaired driving requires a community approach. NHTSA’s primary message during the holiday season is, “Friends don’t let friends drive drunk—Designate a sober driver.”

What actions could a leader, battle buddy, friend or family member take to prevent accidents? Steps can be taken year-round to ensure that everyone avoids driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Prevent future needless losses by following these safety tips:

• Plan ahead by always designating a non-drinking driver before any party begins.

• If you see an impaired buddy about to cause himself or others harm, intervene by taking keys away. Watching out for your buddies even when you aren’t on duty is part of the job description of “friend.”

• If hosting a party this holiday season, remind guests to designate their sober driver, always offer alcohol-free beverages, and make sure all guests leave with a sober driver.

Taking these small steps can prevent the loss of a loved one to your family and to others.

For more information, visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, http://www.cdc.gov/Motorvehiclesafety/Impaired_Driving/index.html.