Drunk Driving in Kentucky

March 22, 2017

Spring Break and St. Patrick’s Day are just a couple of the recently passed events in the US that may have led to spikes in drunk driving accidents. But these crashes remain a serious problem every day of the year, in Kentucky and all over the country. In fact, one in three traffic fatalities in the US involve a drunk driver, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Here are more CDC stats related to these tragic accidents:

• 2,041 people were killed in drunk driving accidents in KY from 2003 to 2012
• Across all age groups, fatality rates (per 100,000 people) in Kentucky were slightly higher than national averages
• In Kentucky, 1.5 percent of adults reported driving after having too much to drink
• People between the age group of 21 to 34 had the highest fatality rate at 7.2 per 100,000 people
• Men in Kentucky were killed in drunk driving accidents at higher rates than women, at 6.5 per 100,000 people compared to 1.5 per 100,000

These numbers show that drunk driving continues to be a serious and deadly problem. It’s always better to call a ride-share or taxi, or take public transportation if you have had too much to drink. Your life and others may depend on it.