DUI Stats: What Time Of Day Do Most Drunk Driving Accidents Occur?
Drunk driving is a huge problem in the United States. Every year, thousands of people are killed in alcohol-related accidents and fatal crashes that involved drunk drivers. But what time of day do most drunk driving accidents occur? This article will seek to answer this question by providing statistics on the number of motor vehicle traffic crashes involving drunk drivers in recent years.
Getting involved in a drunk driving accident can lead to serious consequences. Accident victims may suffer severe, life-changing injuries, and in many cases, these injuries can be fatal. The drunk driver may also be faced with DUI arrests and criminal charges, including vehicular homicide or manslaughter.
Thus, if you are ever involved in an accident with an alcohol-impaired driver, it is important to consult a drunk driving accident attorney. Your attorney can help you receive the compensation you deserve. In Florida, get in touch with Jared Spingarn, Accident Attorney. Jared will handle your case with the utmost professionalism and respect to achieve the best possible outcome.
Defining a Drunk Driver: Blood Alcohol Concentration Legal Limits
Alcohol-impaired drivers are legally defined as drivers who have a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 g/dL or higher. The legal limit for BAC varies from state to state and can change depending on the type of offense and what class of driver is being tested. For example, in some states, commercial drivers may be considered impaired if their BAC is .04 g/dL or higher.
A drunk driver will be affected by alcohol in different ways. For instance, drunk drivers that record a 0.02 g/dL BAC may begin to experience hazy vision and a reduced ability to multitask. This is a relatively low BAC level but can still have serious consequences if the driver is operating a vehicle.
At a BAC of 0.05, drunk drivers will feel relaxed and may experience a decrease in concentration and coordination. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) notes that drivers with this BAC level are six times more likely to be involved in an accident than sober drivers.
At 0.08 g/dL, drivers will feel what is known as “severe intoxication” and may have slurred speech, blurred vision, and an inability to focus. At this BAC level, drivers are 11 times more likely to be involved in an accident than sober drivers.
Many fatal drunk driving accidents happen involving a driver with a 0.08 g/dL BAC. But in fact, more traffic-related deaths have occurred involving drivers with a BAC nearly twice the number. DUI crash fatalities are more likely to occur when the driver records a BAC of 0.10 to 0.15 g/dL. At this level, drivers may experience what is known as “extreme intoxication” and will have an even harder time focusing and controlling the vehicle. This means it will be more difficult to step on the brakes, stay in the proper lane, process new information, and adjust to changing road conditions.
Drunk Driving Statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
When more drunk drivers are on the road, more driver and pedestrian deaths occur. Although the statistics may show when the most dangerous time of the day is to get into a drunk driving accident, it’s important to remember that any time of day can be dangerous when a driver is impaired. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recorded a total of 11,654 drunk driving fatalities in 2020.
Time and Day of the Week
A drunk driving crash can happen at any time of day, but the majority of these accidents occur late at night and in the early morning hours. According to data from the NHTSA, fatal accidents involving alcohol-impaired drivers were 3.1 times higher at nighttime compared to daytime. In 2020, there were 2,748 drunk driving fatalities during daytime hours (6 am to 5:59 pm) compared to 8,138 drivers involved in fatal crashes during the nighttime (6 pm to 5:59 am).
In addition to late night and early morning hours, weekends are also more likely times for drunk driving accidents. This may be due to the fact that people are more likely to spend time in bars, restaurants, and other social gatherings late on Friday and Saturday nights. According to the NHTSA, 34% of fatal drunk driving crashes occurred between 6 pm and 5:59 am on Saturdays or Sundays.
Dangerous Holidays
Aside from the day and time of the week, the NHTSA also takes into consideration the most dangerous holidays throughout the year. Data from 2020 shows that the summer season is prone to more drunk driving accidents as a frequently traveled holiday period.
The summer months include important holidays such as Memorial Day and Independence Day. And to mark the end of the summer season, Labor Day Weekend is full of festivities as well. After these three holidays, Father’s Day surprisingly comes in fourth with 431 fatal crashes involving intoxicated drivers. This holiday also happens during the summer season which may explain why it has become a dangerous holiday as well.
The most traveled holiday period is Thanksgiving Weekend, as more people are on the roads for holiday festivities and are traveling home to their loved ones. In 2020, Thanksgiving Weekend was one of the most dangerous holidays in terms of drunk driving deaths with a total of 391 fatalities. The eve of Thanksgiving is actually considered the busiest night on US roads which leads to multiple highway fatalities and pedestrian deaths. While during the winter months, the data shows that an estimated 40% of all traffic accidents during Christmas and New Year’s involve drunk drivers.
What to Do After an Accident With An Alcohol-Impaired Driver
Drunk driving has become such a serious problem in the US, and it’s important to be aware of what to do if you or someone you know gets into an accident with an alcohol-impaired driver. First off, it is recommended that those involved stay at the scene until an officer arrives and that medical attention is sought for any injured parties. It is also important to gather whatever information you can from the other driver, such as their name and insurance information.
After an accident, make sure that you refuse to give a statement to the insurance company of the other driver involved. Insurance adjusters will usually try to get you to make a statement that can be used against you in court. Often, giving a statement may also mean that you have to accept some sort of financial responsibility for the accident, even if you did not cause it. This is because the insurance company is focused on settling the claim as quickly and inexpensively as possible.
In cases such as these, it is best to consult with a lawyer who can help you navigate the process and protect your rights. It is best to contact an attorney from Jared Spingarn’s law firm and explain what happened. An experienced attorney will be able to help you understand what your rights are in such a situation. Your attorney will also be able to assist with filing the necessary documents for a lawsuit should the victim wish to pursue legal action against the drunk driver.
How a Personal Injury Attorney Can Help After a Drunk Driving Accident
If you or a loved one has been injured in a drunk driving accident, it is important to contact an experienced personal injury attorney. A good personal injury attorney will help ensure that the responsible party is held accountable for their actions and that you receive all the compensation you are entitled to for your injuries. An experienced lawyer will be able to easily identify what factors were responsible for the accident and what legal action should be taken against the offender.
If you are located in Florida or get into an accident in the state, contact the Law Offices of Jared Spingarn. Jared has a team of reputable and experienced attorneys who specialize in drunk driving cases. They can understand what you are going through and their attorneys will be with you every step of the way.
Conclusion
The consequences of driving under the influence are severe, and it has a major impact on both victims and perpetrators. By being aware of what time of day most drunk driving accidents occur, drivers can be better prepared to keep their roads safe and ensure that everyone makes it home safely.
It’s important to stay safe on the roads by avoiding drinking and driving, especially during holidays and late nights when most drunk driving accidents occur. In the event of a drunk driving accident, it is important to contact an experienced and knowledgeable personal injury lawyer who can help you receive the compensation that you are entitled to.
The Law Offices of Jared Spingarn is committed to providing the highest quality of legal representation in Florida and will work diligently to ensure that you get what you deserve. Schedule a free consultation with Jared today.
>> If you’re involved in a drunk driving accident in Florida, don’t hesitate to reach out to Jared Spingarn, Accident Attorney at 1-954-781-2316 for a Free Case Review or drop a message on their Contact Us page.
