Alabama "Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest." Crackdown

Make the Crackdown Count: August 10 to September 13, 2009

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Alabama Crash Facts

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In Alabama, impaired driving is a crime and will not be tolerated

2009 DRUNK DRIVING. OVER THE LIMIT. UNDER ARREST.

Each year, thousands of people die in motor vehicle crashes and a large percentage of these fatalities are alcohol or drug-related.  Behind these statistics are real people with real stories. They’re not numbers, but human beings with families and friends.

Despite recent reductions in fatalities, impaired driving remains one of America's deadliest social problems. In 2008, there were 315 Alabama fatalities in alcohol-related crashes. This is a decrease of 16.4 percent compared to 2007 (377 fatalities), but it represents an average of more than one alcohol-related fatality every day.  It also represents 32.6% of the state’s traffic deaths.  As evidenced by the results of a September 2008 survey conducted for the state by Abt SRBI Inc., most people don't intend to drive home drunk, but too many find themselves at the end of the night without a sober designated driver. Unfortunately, many of these drivers convince themselves and friends that they are able to drive with the comment, "I'm okay, I'm just buzzed."

The number of US traffic fatalities in 2008 reached its lowest level since 1961. There was a 9.7-percent decline in the number of people killed in motor vehicle crashes in the United States, from 41,259 in 2007 to 37,261, according to NHTSA’s 2008 Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS). Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities (fatalities in crashes involving a driver or motorcycle rider [operator] with a blood alcohol concentration [BAC] of .08 grams per deciliter [g/dL] or greater) declined by 9.7 percent in 2008, yet 13,041 (35%) people died.

In continuing their efforts to prevent drunk driving, NHTSA has evaluated ways to extend the reach of the campaign, which has been accomplished by focusing on individual responsibility in an effort to reduce impaired driving. The “buzzed driver” is one who drinks too much and drives, but does not consider himself a hazard on the roadway or a drunk driver because he believes his drinking is “moderate.” The expanded campaign is designed to correct that perception, by instilling the notion that if you are “buzzed,” you’re too impaired to drive safely.  It will inspire a dialogue about and recognition of the dangers of “buzzed” driving and, subsequently, motivate people to stop driving “buzzed.”

v      Impaired driving is one of America’s most-often-committed and deadliest crimes.

• Alcohol-related car crashes kill someone every 30 minutes and injure someone every two minutes.
• In the United States, drunk driving is the leading criminal cause of death.
• More than 17,000 people are the victims of drunk driving accidents every year.
• Approximately 40% of all motor-vehicle fatalities are alcohol-related.
• Frequent drunk drivers are responsible for almost 60% of alcohol-related fatalities.
• In 2007, drivers between the ages of 16-20 were involved in 1,719 drunk driving accidents.

v      Alcohol affects those skills essential to operating a motorcycle—balance and coordination. So it plays a particularly big role in motorcycle fatalities.

v      Preventative measures for drinking, driving and riding:

• If you are planning to drink alcohol with friends, designate a sober driver before going out and give that person your keys;
• If impaired, call a taxi, use mass transit, call a sober friend or family member, or use your community’s Sober Rides program.
• Wear your seat belt while in a car or use a helmet and protective gear when on a motorcycle as these are your best defenses against an impaired driver.
• Violators often face jail time, the loss of their driver’s license, higher insurance rates, and dozens of other unanticipated expenses from attorney fees, other fines and court costs, towing and repairs, lost time at work, etc.

Drinking and driving fatalities by state in 2008 (ranked by highest number of alcohol related deaths):

That’s why…

• Our message is simple – Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest.  
• Law enforcement will be out in force across the nation this Labor Day holiday cracking down on drunk drivers.

• No matter what you drive – a passenger car, pickup, sport utility vehicle or motorcycle – if we catch you driving impaired, we will arrest you. 

• Far too many people still don’t understand that alcohol, drugs, and driving don’t mix. Impaired driving is no accident – nor is it a victimless crime.

Fortunately…

• Much of the tragedy that comes from impaired driving crashes could be prevented if everyone would take a few simple precautions.  Always follow these tips for a safe Labor Day weekend:

• Whenever you plan on consuming alcohol, designate a sober driver before going out and give that person your keys;

• If you’re impaired, call a taxi, use mass transit or call a sober friend or family member to get you home safely;
• Promptly report drunk drivers you see on the roadways to law enforcement;
• Wearing your safety belt while in a car or using a helmet and protective gear when on a motorcycle  is your best defense against an impaired driver;
• And remember, Friends Don’t Let Friends Drive Drunk.  If you know someone who is about to drive or ride while impaired, take their keys and help them make other arrangements to get to where they are going safely.

• And just in case you didn’t know: Buzzed driving is drunk driving!

Alcohol and Fatal Motorcycle Crashes

• Alcohol affects those skills essential to operating a motorcycle – balance and coordination.  So it plays a particularly big role in motorcycle fatalities.

• Twenty-eight percent of all fatally injured motorcycle operators had BAC levels of .08 or higher.  An additional 6 percent had lower alcohol levels (BAC .01 to .07).

• Forty-one percent of the 1,672 motorcycle operators who died in single-vehicle crashes in 2004 had BAC levels of .08 or higher. 

• The age groups 30 to 39 and 40 to 49 are those with the highest rates of alcohol involvement for motorcycle operators in fatal crashes. 

Impaired Driving Creates Serious Consequences

• The tragedies and costs from driving impaired do not just end at the potential death, disfigurement, disability and injury caused by impaired drivers.
• Driving or riding a motorcycle while impaired is not worth the risk.  The consequences are serious and real.  Not only do you risk killing yourself or someone else, but the trauma and financial costs of a crash or an arrest for driving while impaired can be significant.
• Violators often face jail time, the loss of their driver’s license, higher insurance rates, and dozens of other unanticipated expenses from attorney fees, other fines and court costs, car towing and repairs, lost time at work, etc.
• Refuse a sobriety test in many jurisdictions and you can lose your license on the spot and have your car impounded.
• Plus, there is the added embarrassment, humiliation, and potential loss and consequence after informing family, friends and employers.

Drunk Driving.

If you are “Over the Limit,” you will be “Under Arrest.”