By Carol A. Cates, MSN, MBA, RN
Chief Nursing Officer
Odessa Regional Medical Center
Pretty much anyone who knows me knows I have a big phobia about driving under the influence. It started when my college roommate was killed by a drunk driver the New Year’s Eve after we graduated. Working in the Emergency Department and Intensive Care Unit and seeing first-hand the devastation that driving under the influence has not made that phobia any better. The destruction that driving under the influence can cause to everyone involved can never be undone. What makes it worse is it that destruction is completely preventable. As we are in the full swing of Holiday parties and with New Year’s Eve just around the corner, I wanted to remind everyone to add safe transportation to their celebration plans.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NTSHA) driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol has improved greatly in the last decade, but even with that improvement, it is still the second most common cause of fatal car crashes (speeding is number one). 56% of drivers involved in serious injury cashes or fatal crashes tested positive for drugs or alcohol. 10,000 deaths each year are caused by drunk drivers. Ten percent of all criminal arrests in the US are for driving under the influence. That is more than all violent crimes combined.
By far, the most dangerous age is people aged 21-24 when it comes to drunk driving. They are 1.5 times more likely to drive under the influence and get in a fatal accident than any other age group. Men are 1.5 times more likely to be involved in a drunk driving fatal accident than women, and men are involved in 80% of all drunk driving motor vehicle collisions. A fatal drunk driving accident is 3 times more likely to happen at night than during the day. Drunk driving is estimated to cost $132 billion each year in property damage and lost productivity.
The statistic that is most shocking to me comes from a 2021 Federal Bureau of Investigation survey. In that survey, 78% of Americans Surveyed were “very concerned” about drunk driving, and 69% of Americans were “very concerned” about drugged driving. Yet, 22.5% of drivers admitted to intoxicated driving at least once in 2021 and 12% of those reporting they often drove while intoxicated. To me that basically says people know it’s a problem but they do it anyway, and that makes me very sad.
The destruction drink driving is not limited to the injuries, property damage and deaths. The person who is drunk and driving can face stiff criminal penalties. According to the Texas Department of Transportation, you are legally intoxicated with a blood alcohol level of 0.08%, but the law prohibits any level of drugs or alcohol when it affects your ability to drive, fly, or boat safely.
First offenses can be up to $2,000 in fines, 180 days in jail and loss of driver’s license for a year. Second offenses the fines go up to $4,000, jail sentences can go up to a year, and driver’s license loss up to two years. With a third offense the fine is $10,000, up to 10 years in prison (not jail) and loss of driver’s license for two years. The judge can add anywhere from $3,000-$5,000 dollars in additional state and county fines as well for each of these sentences. If the person has a kid under age 15 in the car the person can add another $10,000 in fines, another two years of jail time, another 180 days of driver’s license loss, and they can be charged with child endangerment, which could mean jail time beyond the intoxicated driving penalties plus loss of custody for that child.
Prevention of driving under the influence is all about acting responsibly. Plan for a sober driver if you are considering drinking or using drugs. That can be a designated driver, a cab, or a ride sharing service like Uber or Lyft. Don’t let people around you get behind the wheel if they have been drinking or under the influence. If you have someone who refuses to listen to reason and give up keys, consider calling the police if they get behind the wheel. Having a mad friend is much better than losing a friend. Remember you can be held responsible if you allow people to leave without a sober driver if you are hosting an event.
Finally, any time you are driving, especially at night when there are statistically more intoxicated drivers on the road remember to practice defensive driving and always make sure you and everyone in your vehicle is wearing a seatbelt. That way if you do encounter a drunk driver, you can hopefully avoid a collision, and if not, you will survive it.
