After seeing report after report on the news about local drunk driving accidents, you decided to look up state facts and figures for intoxication and driving under the influence (DUI) risks. Within five minutes you weren’t only depressed, but extremely worried about having to drive to work tomorrow.
Although you’ve occasionally had one too many drinks before driving home from a friend’s house, you just can’t believe how many drunk driving crashes occur each year in the United States, let alone Texas.
Can these statistics be true? Are Texans really that at risk for drunk driving crashes?
2013 DUI Crash Data for Texas
Impaired driving accidents are at an all-time high throughout the U.S. Over four-million people a year admittedly drive while intoxicated, creating roughly 112-million incidents of potentially fatal DUI episodes. The United States Department of Transportation and Bureau of Transportation Statistics estimates every two hours three people die a wrongful death due to drunk drivers.
In 2013, 13,000 Americans died in drinking and driving accidents. However, the truly scary part of this data, is that 15 percent of these fatalities occurred in Texas alone.
Although Texas is the second largest state in the U.S., and has almost four times the population of most other states, this doesn’t account for such a staggering DUI rate. Due to concern over the state’s DUI increases over the past decade, the National Safety Council conducted a study on Texas drinking and driving habits. The results are as follows:
- DUI fatalities accounted for 33.3 percent of all motor vehicle crashes.
- In 2013 there were 85,436 DUI arrests—second highest in the U.S.
- Over 6,000 victims were injured in DUI crashes in 2013 alone.
- Beer consumption per capita was 34.4 gallons per year—9th highest in the U.S.
- Almost 50 percent of tested fatally injured drivers in Texas had a BAC of at least .08.
- Based on the number of alcohol-related fatalities, Harris County, Texas, is the drunk driving capital of the U.S.
Where To Turn When You Fall Victim To A Drunk Driver
Although the stats appear to be overwhelmingly against you, you can actually help improve our state’s rank as one of the worst places for DUI crashes. By paying attention, driving defensively, and staying alert for possible signs of drunk driving, you can not only help lower DUI rates, but you can also decrease your own risk of serious injury.
Unfortunately, drunk drivers have become increasingly better at avoiding law enforcement by driving slower, and avoiding high-traffic areas. Although this is great for drunk drivers to avoid arrests, it makes it even more difficult for you to avoid them. Regrettably, this means that no matter how cautious and attentive you may be, drunk drivers can still find you, and hurt you and your family. Don’t let them get away with it!
Have You Or A Loved One Been Injured By A Drunk Driver?
If you've been injured by a drunk driver in Texas you need to speak with an experienced drunk driver injury attorney as soon as possible. Please contact us online or call our Colleyville office directly at 817.485.8888 to schedule your free consultation.
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