With much emphasis placed on drunk driving accidents, you may think that this type of collision happens every day in Connecticut. According to Connecticut Health I-Team, however, the most recent numbers indicate that the number of people killed in these accidents has declined.
New Haven County experienced a drunk driving fatality rate of 2.09 for every 100,000 people in 2014, lower than 3.24 the previous year. The state also witnessed a 15 percent decrease in fatal drunk driving accidents. The phenomenon retains responsibility for many traffic deaths, however. Although car accidents claimed the lives of fewer drivers, 43 percent of drivers had alcohol in their system at the time of the collision.
While the decrease in fatalities is something you should definitely celebrate, drunk driving is still a problem which needs an effective solution. The blood alcohol content of many drivers, both those killed in accidents and those who survived, is often not reported, which can skew the national data on drunk driving.
One representative of a drunk driving prevention group has said that people need to be aware of the ramifications of intoxicated driving. Despite the lower fatality rates, Connecticut still has one of the highest rates for drunk driving collisions in the nation. While you may think you will be safe driving short distances, it is usually better if you have a designated driver. Although drivers in their twenties and thirties usually register higher BAC levels, it is a good idea to have a designated driver regardless of your age, as anyone who drinks and drives is at risk of an accident.