Florida Drunk Driving Traffic Accidents and Impaired Female Drivers
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) reports that nationally, the number of women drivers involved in fatal drunk driving motor vehicle accidents is on the rise--a fact Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood calls "a very disturbing trend."
A recent study conducted by the DOT and NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) shows that approx. 2,000 drunk driving deaths a year involve women who are driving under the influence of alcohol. While FBI statistics show that men arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) still outnumber women by 4 to 1, the percentage of women arrested for DUI has increased--up nearly 30% in the ten-year study period of 1998 to 2007.
Florida Female Drivers and Drunk Driving Deaths
While any death on Sunshine State roads and highways due to alcohol-impaired driving is one death too many, some positive news for Florida emerged from the NHTSA study: Florida was not among the states where the numbers of women drivers involved in fatal drunk-driving accidents had increased. Florida actually showed a decrease in this area. Statistics of interest:
- The number of Florida female drivers in fatal crashes with a blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) level at or above the legal limit of .08 was 134 drivers in 2008 -- down from 144 in 2007.
- In 2008, in total, 875 people lost their lives in fatal Florida car crashes where alcohol was a factor. (NHTSA Traffic Safety Facts Florida 2004-2008)
- The study reported 10 states showing increases in numbers of women drivers who operated motor vehicles under the influence of alcohol and were involved in fatal accidents. Of those, Ohio and New Hampshire showed the greatest number and percentage increases (respectively).
This study shows what Fort Lauderdale accident lawyers observe in their daily work -- that drunk driving can impact anyone regardless of gender, race, profession, or station in life.
Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood Kicks Off Nationwide Enforcement Crackdown on Impaired Driving
Releases New Report Highlighting Increasing Number of Impaired Female Drivers
NHTSA Press Release, August 19, 2009
Alcohol-Impaired Drivers Involved in Fatal Crashes, by Gender and State, 2007-2008
NHTSA Traffic Safety Facts, August 2009
