Alcohol-related traffic crashes in the United States
Encyclopedia
Alcohol-related traffic crashes are defined by the United States
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
(NHTSA) as alcohol-related if either a driver or a non-motorist had a measurable or estimated BAC of 0.01 g/dl or above.
This statistic includes any and all vehicular (including bicycle and motorcycle) accidents in which any alcohol
has been consumed, or believed to have been consumed, by the driver, a passenger or a pedestrian associated with the accident. Thus, if a person who has consumed alcohol and has stopped for a red light is rear-ended by a completely sober but inattentive driver, the accident is listed as alcohol-related, although alcohol had nothing to do with causing the accident. Furthermore, if a sober motorist hits a drunk pedestrian, the accident is also listed as alcohol-related. Alcohol-related accidents are often mistakenly confused with alcohol-caused accidents. Many have criticized the NHTSA for compiling this statistic since it gives the impression that drunk drivers cause a much higher percentage of accidents and does not accurately reflect the problem of drunk driving in the United States.
Nationally, 12.8% of all drivers involved in fatal accidents during 2001 are known to have been intoxicated
according to the blood alcohol concentration (BAC laws) of their state. This number is based on a systematic examination of the official records of each and every accident involving a fatality during that year in the US.
The higher number (about 40%) commonly reported in the press refers to accidents defined as alcohol-related as estimated (not measured) by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Traffic accidents involving alcohol have declined dramatically over the past 27 years in the United States.
Each year, The Century Council
, a national non-profit organization funded by a group of alcohol manufacturers
, compiles a document of alcohol-related traffic fatalities. Between 1991 and 2006, the rate of alcohol-related traffic fatalities (ARTF) per 100,000 population has decreased 26% nationally, and 28% among youth under 21.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is an agency of the Executive Branch of the U.S. government, part of the Department of Transportation...
(NHTSA) as alcohol-related if either a driver or a non-motorist had a measurable or estimated BAC of 0.01 g/dl or above.
This statistic includes any and all vehicular (including bicycle and motorcycle) accidents in which any alcohol
Alcohol
In chemistry, an alcohol is an organic compound in which the hydroxy functional group is bound to a carbon atom. In particular, this carbon center should be saturated, having single bonds to three other atoms....
has been consumed, or believed to have been consumed, by the driver, a passenger or a pedestrian associated with the accident. Thus, if a person who has consumed alcohol and has stopped for a red light is rear-ended by a completely sober but inattentive driver, the accident is listed as alcohol-related, although alcohol had nothing to do with causing the accident. Furthermore, if a sober motorist hits a drunk pedestrian, the accident is also listed as alcohol-related. Alcohol-related accidents are often mistakenly confused with alcohol-caused accidents. Many have criticized the NHTSA for compiling this statistic since it gives the impression that drunk drivers cause a much higher percentage of accidents and does not accurately reflect the problem of drunk driving in the United States.
Nationally, 12.8% of all drivers involved in fatal accidents during 2001 are known to have been intoxicated
Drunkenness
Alcohol intoxication is a physiological state that occurs when a person has a high level of ethanol in his or her blood....
according to the blood alcohol concentration (BAC laws) of their state. This number is based on a systematic examination of the official records of each and every accident involving a fatality during that year in the US.
The higher number (about 40%) commonly reported in the press refers to accidents defined as alcohol-related as estimated (not measured) by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Traffic accidents involving alcohol have declined dramatically over the past 27 years in the United States.
Each year, The Century Council
The Century Council
The Century Council is a Virginia-based American not-for-profit organization founded in 1991 and funded by a group of distillers that aims to fight to eliminate drunk driving and underage drinking and promotes responsible decision-making regarding alcohol use....
, a national non-profit organization funded by a group of alcohol manufacturers
Distillers
Distillers may refer to:*The Distillers, an American punk rock band*Distillers Company, former Scotch whisky and pharmaceutical company...
, compiles a document of alcohol-related traffic fatalities. Between 1991 and 2006, the rate of alcohol-related traffic fatalities (ARTF) per 100,000 population has decreased 26% nationally, and 28% among youth under 21.