Drunk driving is a serious problem all around the country and can be especially concerning during holiday times. As many people in Connecticut enjoy holiday festivities that frequently involve alcohol consumption, the danger can increase. Data pertaining to accidents caused by alcohol- or drug-impaired drivers can give some idea about the severity of the drunk driving problem. It seems, however, that Connecticut’s statistics are lacking in many areas.
Connecticut state law requires that blood testing, including blood alcohol content testing, must be done on any driver who dies in a motor vehicle accident. This appears to not be happening. In 2013, blood test results were available for 83 deceased drivers. There were a total of 183 drivers who died in the state that year. This information is also required to be provided to the national Fatality Analysis Reporting System for use by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and other agencies.
In 2013, Connecticut performed poorly compared to national averages for its reporting of alcohol involvement in fatal accidents. The state reported only 45 percent of the driver deaths in drunk driving accidents. that compares with a national average of 71 percent. For fatal drunk driving accidents in which drivers survived, only Mississippi had a lower rate of reporting. At the same time, Connecticut experienced a higher-than average rate of drunk driving deaths. A total of 41 percent of vehicular fatalities occurred in accidents involving alcohol in Connecticut. The national average was 31 percent.
People who have been involved in a drunk driving accident deserve special help and compensation. Contacting an attorney after a crash caused by a drunk driver might be helpful in these situations.
