Self Reported Drinking and Driving Falls, But Numbers Still High
Drunk driving has fallen to its lowest level in nearly two decades according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but officials say the numbers are still too high. Adults admitted to drinking and getting behind the wheel more than 100 million times last year. Those numbers have declined 30% in the past five years. The statistics come from a national telephone survey.
CDC Director Dr. Thomas Frieden says while there’s been real progress, drunk driving is still far too common. He says while they’re pleased fewer people report drinking and driving, it’s still far too common.
Dr. Frieden says drunk driving is a public health problem with far reaching effects. He says it puts everyone at risk, even the most responsible drivers and pedestrians.
Dr. Frieden says there are proven methods to reduce the number of drunk drivers on the roads. He says that includes sobriety checkpoints and ignition interlock devices. He says those devices are only used in about 20% of drunk driving cases. He says the CDC recommends making interlocks mandatory for all offenders.
There’s some evidence the economy may be playing a role in the decline in the number of people who admit to drinking then driving. Dr. Frieden says it’s possible that people are drinking at home more.
Gwen Bergen, Behavioral scientist for the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, says they know there were not significant decreases in self reported drinking or in self reported binge drinking during this period.
