Signs of Progress

Much progress has been made over the last two decades to reduce problems associated with alcohol abuse. In Iowa alcohol-related traffic injuries totaled 1,505 in 2007, over a 50% decline since 1990. Nationally, the number of fatalities in drunk-driving crashes has declined 36 percent since 1982, going from 21,113 in 1982 to 13,470 in 2006. 

Beer distributors are committed to the fight against illegal underage drinking, and sponsor numerous preventions programs. They distribute pamphlets and videos to help parents talk to their children about underage drinking, provide resources for law enforcement and they sponsor motivational speakers in their local schools. The beer industry spends hundreds of millions of dollars every year to eliminate illegal underage purchase and consumption of alcohol. 

Thanks to the work of teachers, parents, community leaders, beer distributors and others progress has been made. To view recent statistics regarding illegal underage drinking and drunk driving read Signs of Progress 2005 or visit http://alcoholstats.com. 

Iowa’s Progress

• In 2007 drunken-driving deaths fell in 32 states - including Iowa.

• During 2007, Iowa had the second lowest percentage of alcohol-related fatalities in the entire nation.

• Since the mid 1990's, Iowa's fatality rate has dropped from 2.15 to 1.41, a decline of more than 30%.

• Traffic deaths in Iowa set a 61-year low in 2006. 

• The number of Iowa alcohol-related traffic fatalities in 2003 through 2007 represents the lowest five years on    record. 

• A total of 1,505 people were injured in Iowa alcohol-related traffic crashes in 2007, which is a decline of more than   50% since 1990.

Source: Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau Fact Sheets-2008

            Des Moines Register Article by Ken Thomas (AP)

The Nation’s Progress 

• Efforts in the past two decades by law enforcement, the beer industry, community leaders and responsible   citizens are making our roads safer.

• U.S. traffic fatalities are down substantially in 2008 and should be below 39,000 for the first time since the early   1960's.

• Overall, alcohol deaths were down 4% nationwide compared with 2006.

• The number of fatalities in drunk-driving crashes has declined 36 percent since 1982, going from 21,113 in 1982    to 13,470 in 2006. There were 7,600 fewer drunk-driving fatalities in 2006 than in 1982.

• There were 7,600 fewer drunk-driving fatalities in 2006 than in 1982.

• While the total number of drunk-driving fatalities has declined 36 percent since 1982, the vehicle miles traveled    has increased 89 percent. 

Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration 

               Governor's Traffic Safety Bureau Fact Sheets-2008

              Des Moines Register Article by Ken Thomas (AP)

Teen Drunk-Driving Fatalities 1982-2006 

• The number of fatalities in teenage drunk-driving crashes has declined 10 percent since 2000 and is down 63    percent since tracking began in 1982, going from 4,214 in 1982 to 1,720 in 2000 and 1,552 in 2006. 

• Passengers and other killed in young-driver (16-20) crashes have declined. 

• Fatalities among 16- to 20-year old passengers of young drivers declined four years in a row. 

Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration  

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