Increased Fatalities and Enforcement in New York City: New York City officials are intensifying efforts to curb drunk driving, especially during the New Year’s holiday, which typically sees a rise in drunk driving-related fatalities. The NYPD is deploying officers in marked vehicles at various locations, including major roads and areas with bars and restaurants. Source: Spectrum News NY1
Recent Tragic Incidents: A 32-year-old woman in Massachusetts was arrested for driving drunk and causing a crash that killed a 75-year-old woman. Source: MassLive
National Trends and Legislation: In 2021, more than 13,000 people lost their lives due to impaired driving, marking the highest number since 2006. There’s a push for stricter drunk driving laws, including lowering the acceptable blood alcohol content from 0.08% to 0.05%. Source: Spectrum News NY1, Source: NHTSA
NHTSA Initiatives: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is taking steps to make impaired-driving prevention technology standard in new vehicles. Alcohol-impaired fatalities in December 2021 were at a nearly 15-year high. Source: NHTSA
Rising Alcohol-Related Deaths During Pandemic: Despite fewer cars on the road during the pandemic, fatal crashes involving alcohol were up 9% in 2020 compared to 2019. The increase in highway deaths were attributed to impaired driving, speeding, and failure to wear a seatbelt. Source: Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD)
Economic and Societal Costs: The NHTSA estimates that fatalities, injuries, and property damage from alcohol-impaired driving cost society $280 billion. Source: NHTSA