A recent study found that 20 percent of all child traffic fatalities were caused by drunk drivers.
For most parents, worrying about other drivers on the road is likely a normal part of traveling with your children. According to a recent study, drunk driving accidents are the cause of a significant number of fatalities among youth in the United States.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently reported that drunk drivers are responsible for one out of every five children who are killed in auto accidents in the U.S. In total, 2,344 children aged 15 and below lost their lives in drunk driving accidents between 2001 and 2010.
The study also found that 65 percent of the time, the drunk driver involved in the crash was the individual driving the child. In all, 1,515 children died in collisions in which the driver of their vehicle was impaired. The researchers suspect that the children often were not properly restrained in the vehicle, as the drivers involved in the accidents usually survived the collision.
While these statistics are alarming, the researchers found an overall trend of declining numbers of children killed by drunk drivers across the country. In total, there were 41 percent fewer fatalities among children who were passengers in drunk driving accidents in 2010 than 2000.
Drunk driving collisions a serious concern for all in Georgia
Drunk driving leads to a significant number of injuries and fatalities in Georgia each year, according to data from Mothers Against Drunk Driving. In 2012, 301 people were killed in drunk driving collisions. In total, 25 percent of all traffic fatalities were caused by drunk drivers in Georgia that year – up 11 percent from the year prior.
In addition, approximately 5,700 people suffered injuries in drunk driving crashes in Georgia in 2012. In all, the state saw over 9,000 motor vehicle accidents caused by drunk drivers that year.
In the United States, drunk driving is responsible for approximately 31 percent of all traffic fatalities annually, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Across the country, 10,228 people lost their lives in collisions caused by impaired drivers in 2010.
When a drunk driving accident occurs, the damage done is often significant for all those involved. Following such a collision, those injured may be able to recover for the harm caused by the impaired driver. If you have been involved in a drunk driving crash, you should seek the counsel of a knowledgeable personal injury attorney, who will be able to fight to ensure your interests are protected.
