Youth DUI and DWI Statistics from a Toronto Drinking and Driving Lawyer
Drinking and driving is a serious offence that endangers the lives of everyone on the road. Alcohol impairs judgement, worsens motor skills and hand-eye coordination, and disrupts our ability to focus, all of which affect our ability to drive safely. None of us are immune to the effects of alcohol, and drivers with even small amounts in their system are much more likely to be involved in fatal crashes.
Unfortunately, youth drivers are at even greater risk. Not only are young drivers typically less tolerant to the effects of alcohol, but they generally lack driving experience. Young drivers tend to take more risks, drive at greater speed, and be less defensively-minded than seasoned motorists. This is why insurers are able to justify raising premiums for young drivers.
The following drinking and driving statistics shed further light on the issue of youth drinking and driving and may help parents keep their children safe:
–Young people have the largest rates of drinking and driving death and injury per capita among all age groups. They also have the highest death rate per kilometre driven. The 16-25 demographic make up over 30% of impairment-related motor vehicle deaths despite constituting only 13.6% of the driving population, according to MADD.
–Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death among those aged 16-25, and over 50% of those cases involved the consumption of drugs and/or alcohol.
–According to MADD, drivers aged 19 are most frequently involved in fatal drinking and driving incidents. In contrast, the smallest proportion of drivers who are seriously injured or killed in DUI-related incidents are age 16.
–Male drivers account for over 85% of those killed in drinking and driving incidents.
–Young drivers are much more likely to be injured or killed during the summertime. Clear road conditions may encourage more reckless driving. MADD estimates that over 30% of fatal accidents occur in the summer, whereas only 8% take place over the winter.
–Most drunk driving resulting in adolescent death or injury takes place over the weekend, and specifically at night time.
–The majority of youth drinking and driving fatalities occur while driving an automobile. Young drivers are the most likely demographic to be involved in single-vehicle crashes.
-According to MADD, by the time a young driver’s Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) reaches 0.10%, he or she is over 50 times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash than a sober driver.
–In a survey conducted by MADD, nearly one third of teens indicated that they saw driving while impaired by marijuana as being less serious than driving under the influence of alcohol. Surprisingly, 25% of parents of teenagers shared this belief. This perception is dangerous, and could contribute to the high rates of impaired drivers from younger demographics.
Final Words from a Drinking and Driving Lawyer in Toronto
It only takes one drink or inhalation of marijuana to impair your ability to drive. Never drive after drinking or using recreational drugs; if not for your own sake, then refrain for the sake of your loved ones, and the safety of those who share the road with you.
If you or a loved one has been injured as a result of an impaired driver, please do not hesitate to contact a drinking and driving lawyer. Call (416)-363-3612 or click here to schedule a free consultation with John Erickson.
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