|
Alcohol-Related Statistics
For those
interested, I have compiled a couple of national
statistics regarding alcoholism. They aren't
pretty, and they are on the rise.
NHTSA
According to data
from the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA), in 2000
America experienced the largest percentage
increase in alcohol-related traffic deaths on
record. 17,380 people were killed in
alcohol-related crashes - an average of one every
half-hour. These deaths constituted approximately
41 percent of the 41,945 total traffic
fatalities.
In 2001, 17,448
people were killed in crashes involving alcohol,
representing 41 percent of the 42,116 people
killed in all traffic crashes (no change from the
41% killed in 2000).
|
Total Killed in
Alcohol Related Crashes |
Total Killed in
All Traffic Crashes |
|
2000 |
17,380 |
41% |
41,945 |
100.0% |
|
2001 |
17,448 |
41% |
42,116 |
100.0% |
Alcohol Kills-Don't
Drink and Drive
A
standard drink is defined as 12 ounces of beer, 5
ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof
distilled spirits, all of which contain the same
amount of alcohol. So, to be legally drunk the
average drinker needs only 2 or 3 drinks per hour
in order to be legally intoxicated. If you drink
that amount in just an hour and don't drink
anymore and immediately drive, you will be legally
impaired.
NO
Bingeing Before Driving
Binge drinking has been defined as at least five
drinks in a row for men and four drinks in a row
for women.
The highest
prevalence of both binge and heavy drinking in 2000 was for young
adults aged 18 to 25, with the peak rate occurring at age 21.
The
liver is able to metabolize about ½ ounce of pure
ethanol per hour, (approximately one drink,
depending on a person's body size, food intake,
etc.). If more alcohol arrives in the liver than
the enzymes can handle, the excess alcohol travels
to all parts of the body, circulating until the
liver enzymes are finally able to process it.
An
estimated 513,000 people are injured in
alcohol-related crashes each year, an average of
59 people per hour or approximately one person
every minute.
Overall, young
drivers, and especially, young White males account
for a large share of the alcohol-crash problem.
Quite
Simply-Stay Sober!
It takes the average
person 1 hour to process 1 drink, so, if you keep
at that pace you will never be intoxicated enough
to be arrested for DUI. Just something to think
about. Simple math can keep you and others safe,
happy, and alive!
|
