On Monday, we began a discussion about how fewer Americans are drinking and driving, but many of them are still under the influence of drugs while behind the wheel. Here are some more facts and statistics from that article.
• Of the drivers who tested positive for alcohol impairment, men outnumbered women.
• Most drivers who had blood alcohol levels above the legal limit were on the roads between 1 a.m. and 3 a.m.
• Motorcycles and pickup trucks were the most common vehicles for those drivers who were drunk.
• About 90 percent of the drivers asked were willing to give a breath sample. Only 70 percent agreed to a saliva sample. Researchers conducting the survey offered $10 for saliva samples and $50 for blood samples. If a driver did not want to participate, the researchers offered $100 for an extra incentive.
• If a driver was found to be impaired during the survey, they were not arrested but they were forced to find another way home. “The important thing was we didn’t want to allow anybody back into traffic that appeared to be impaired,” explained Jeff Michael with the NHTSA.
It does not matter if you are just a little impaired or a lot impaired. Do not get behind the wheel of your VW cars if you have had anything that could alter your judgment or your reflexes. It’s dangerous, illegal and irresponsible.
