Further Signs of Progress

 
2005 Alcohol-Related Fatalities 

The U.S. Department of Transportation reports alcohol-related fatalities declined 0.2% from 16,919 to 16,885 in 2005. The 16,885 alcohol-related fatalities in 2005 (39% of total traffic fatalities for the year) represent a 5-percent reduction from the 17,732 alcohol-related fatalities reported in 1995 (42% of the total). 

Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, NHTSA Press Release, NHTSA Report, NHTSA Power Point Report 

Drunk-Driving Fatalities 1982-2005

The number of fatalities in drunk-driving crashes has declined 3 percent since 2000 and 39 percent since 1982, going from 21,113 fatalities in 1982 to 12,945 fatalities in 2005. 

There were 8,100 fewer drunk-driving fatalities in 2005 than in 1982.

Sources: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration ( NHTSA) 

Drunk-Driving Fatalities, Miles Traveled, Vehicles, Drivers and Population 1982-2005 

While the total number of drunk-driving fatalities has declined 39 percent since 1982, the numbers for vehicle miles traveled, registered motor vehicles, licensed drivers, and the total U.S. population has increased. 

In fact, the number of vehicle miles traveled has increased 86 percent, the number of drivers has increased 32 percent, and the total U.S. population has increased 28 percent since 1982.

Source: Federal Highway Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, NHTSA August 2006 Report

Teen Drunk-Driving Fatalities 1982-2005

The number of fatalities in teen drunk-driving crashes is at a record-low-level – down 20 percent since 2000 and 67 percent since 1982, going from 4,214 fatalities in 1982 to 1,383 fatalities in 2005.

There were 2,800 fewer teen drunk-driving fatalities in 2005 than in 1982.

Sources: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) 

Alcohol-Related Fatalities Involving Teen Drivers

Most crash fatalities involving a teen (16-20 year-old) driver are not alcohol-related. In 2005, the percentage of alcohol-related fatalities involving teen drivers was 22%, and the percentage of non-alcohol related fatalities involving teen drivers was 78%. 

Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration 

Fatalities in Motor Vehicle Traffic Crashes by Driver BAC

The majority of 2005 motor vehicle traffic fatalities involved drivers with a ZERO Blood Alcohol Content (BAC).

Sources: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration 

Americans Support Beer Industry’s Responsibility Efforts

The vast majority of Americans say that it’s a good thing that the beer industry works to address drunk driving (92%), underage drinking (90%), college issues (88%), responsible drinking (91%), and reminds adults not to provide alcohol to minors (92%).

Source: Data Development Worldwide

Designated Driver Poll 2006

Ninety-two percent of American adults are familiar with the designated driver concept, and 148 million (70 percent) have either been a designated driver or been driven home by one. Nine-five percent of adults endorse the designated driver concept as an excellent or good way to help reduce drunk driving.

Source: Data Development Worldwide

Americans Support Beer Industry Sponsored Responsibility Ads

87% of American adults (age 21+) say it’s a good thing the beer industry sponsors ads to address the issues of drunk driving and underage drinking.

Source: Data Development Worldwide 

Americans Support Educational Approach

An overwhelming majority of Americans – 84% -- support education and stricter enforcement of existing laws as the best means to reducing underage drinking and drunk driving, according to a recent poll. The survey, which questioned Americans on their views of the most effective ways to address drinking problems in today’s society, also found that 97 percent of the public supports ID checking and 95 percent support designated driver programs. 83 percent of the public opposes the idea of a return to prohibition and 64 percent oppose a ban on alcohol advertising. 

Source: Data Development Worldwide

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

The 2005 Youth Risk Behavior Survey reports record-low rates of high school students who drove a car when they had been drinking and who rode in a car driven by someone who had been drinking.

Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, YRBS 2005 Report, Risk Behavior Trends, Questionnaire