Drunk driving is a significant risk to people in Louisiana. If you’ve lost someone to a drunk driving accident or been hurt yourself, you know how significant that collision can be and the lasting impact it may have on your life.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention keep track of drunk driving statistics to determine what kinds of changes need to be made in the state and to keep the public informed. For the decade between 2009 and 2018 there were some excellent observations made that you may be interested in knowing.
- Over 10,000 people die annually due to drunk driving
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that over 10,000 people die annually due to crashes that include at least one alcohol-impaired driver. However, since the 1980s, changes in law and law enforcement have helped reduce the total number of crashes on average.
- Men are more likely to drink and drive
Another interesting fact is that men are more likely to drink and drive. Men are also more likely to die in alcohol-impaired collisions at a rate of 7.4 men per 100,000 in the population. Women are killed at a much lower rate of 2.1 women per 100,000 in the population, as of 2018 statistics.
- Louisiana has a higher proportion of drunk drivers than the national average
Nationally, a 2018 study found that Louisiana’s drunk driving rate for adults was an average of 2.3% of adults within the previous 30 days. Nationally, the average is 1.7%, showing that Louisiana has a greater proportion of drunk drivers who may be on the roads.
There are steps that people can take to avoid driving while impaired, such as making sure to have a sober driver with them or getting a ride home with a taxi or rideshare service when they’ve been drinking. With so many transportation options and people who know that drunk driving is wrong, there is no excuse for getting behind the wheel while intoxicated.
For victims of drunk drivers, there is support available. You may be able to make a claim to hold them responsible for your financial losses.