Skip to main content

Drunk Driving Remains a Major Health Hazard, Study Reveals

2 min read

By ActiveBeat Author

A new study reveals that drinking and driving may be a bigger problem than you think. In fact, it shows that more than four million American adults admitted to driving under the influence over the previous month.

The study, which was recently carried out by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), involved an examination of data collected through 2012’s Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). Data from all 50 states were used, with information collected through mobile and landline phone interviews.

The results revealed that approximately 4.2 million American adults had drive under the influence within the past month. Adjusted to fit the entire U.S. population, the survey suggests more than 120 million Americans may be driving drunk at least once per month.

Drinking and driving continues to represent a serious health threat in the United States. The Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report released earlier this month showed that alcohol-related traffic accidents represented roughly one-third of all fatal accidents reported in the U.S.

That report outlines a number of strategies for reducing these deaths, from increasing the number of sobriety checkpoints to rigidly enforcing blood alcohol concentration laws to imposing higher taxes on alcoholic beverages.

Interestingly, the CDC report shows that states with more rigid seat belt laws fared better when it came to DUI deaths. “Seat belts are about 50-percent effective in preventing driver fatalities in crashes, and seat belt use is higher in states with a primary seat belt law compared with use in states with a secondary law,” the report said.

ActiveBeat Author

Contributor

Activebeat is dedicated to bringing readers all of the important news and information in the world of health. From recalls and outbreaks to fitness, nutrition and studies, we cover every aspect of health news, every day.

Trending Health News

Explore

Hard-Boiled Eggs Linked To Listeria Outbreak
By Katherine George Trending Health News

Hard-Boiled Eggs Linked To Listeria Outbreak

Hard boiled eggs may be the cause of a listeria outbreak in five different states. At the time of this post, seven people have fallen ill, four have been hospitalized, and there has been one death. The affected states are Florida, Texas, Maine, Pennsylvania, and South Carolina. On Dec. 18, a food safety alert was […]

Read More about Hard-Boiled Eggs Linked To Listeria Outbreak

2 min read

Blackberry-Related Hepatitis A Outbreak in Six States
By Katherine George Trending Health News

Blackberry-Related Hepatitis A Outbreak in Six States

The most recent food recall is linked to store-bought blackberries which may have caused a hepatitis A outbreak in several states. Last month the CDC announced the initial recall of blackberries purchased at Fresh Thyme Farmers Markets during September 2019 as a result of a possible contamination. According to the CDC report, by December 2, […]

Read More about Blackberry-Related Hepatitis A Outbreak in Six States

2 min read