Impaired & Distracted Driving

Impaired and Distracted Driving can increase a person’s chance of a motor vehicle accident.

The definition of Impaired driving involves driving a motorized vehicle with a BAC (blood alcohol content) of 0.08%. This rise in BAC can be due to the consumption of either alcohol or drugs. Motorized vehicles are not just automobiles, they also include motorcycles, motor boats, motorized bicycles, golf carts, jet skis and lawn mowers.

The definition of Distracted Driving is driving while performing other activities. It is not limited to just cell phone use or texting. It also occurs whenever one takes their attention away from the road to perform a simple task such as changing the radio station.

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Impaired Driving Statistics:

About 28 people in the United States die each day in drunk driving crashes. (NHTSA 2020)

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association, Alcohol related motor vehicle crashes kill someone every 52 minutes. (NHTSA 2020

In 2019 nationally, there were more than 10,000 deaths involving a driver with a BAC of .08 or higher. That’s more than one quarter (28%) of total traffic fatalities. (NHTSA 2020)

In 2019, Massachusetts saw a 5.9% decrease in vehicle related deaths. One third (110) were alcohol related. (NHTSA 2020)

In 2016, there were 1,233 traffic deaths among children ages 0 to 14 years. 214 deaths (17%) involved an alcohol impaired driver. (NHTSA 2016)

The rate of alcohol impairment among drivers involved in fatal crashes in 2013 was nearly four time higher at night than during the day.” (NHTSA 2013)

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Distracted Driving Statistics

In a report released in April 2018, The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that “in 2016 alone, 3,450 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers.  562 of those killed were non-occupants (pedestrians, bicyclists and others). “

NHTSA Statistics:

• 9% of fatal crashes in 2016 were reported as distraction-affected crashes.
• 6% of all drivers involved in fatal crashes were reported as distracted at the time of the crash.
• 9% of drivers 15-19 years old involved in fatal crashes were reported as distracted.  This age group has the largest proportion of drivers who were distracted at the time of fatal crashes.