Pennsylvania Drunk Drivers More Likely to be Men

A new study reports that nationwide nearly 60 percent of all drivers in fatal automobile crashes had alcohol or drugs in their systems. In the review of five years of data, researchers found that men, and those driving at night, were more likely to crash with alcohol in their systems.  These findings are not much different than the 2011 Pennsylvania alcohol-related crash data that found 76 percent of the drinking drivers in traffic crashes were male.

Researchers at Columbia University reviewed data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on fatalities in 14 states.  They found that out of 20,150 fatally injured drivers between 2005 and 2009, 57 percent tested positive for at least one drug, and 20 percent had at least two drugs in their system when the accident occurred. Alcohol was the most common drug found in toxicology screenings, followed by marijuana and stimulants comprising 20 percent of the drugs, and narcotics found over 5 percent of the time.

In a detailed review of the report, Reuters Health reports 60 percent of men killed while driving had drugs or alcohol in their system, compared to less than half of women. In addition, night time and weekend drivers involved in fatal accidents were more likely to test positive than those driving on a weekday.

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation reports the following 2011 alcohol-related crash statistics:

• 428 people died in alcohol-related crashes.
• 91% of the alcohol-related occupant deaths (drivers and passengers) were in the vehicle driven by the drinking driver; 73% were the drinking drivers themselves.
• 76% of the drinking drivers in traffic crashes were male.
• 76% of the alcohol-related crashes were during the hours of darkness, usually on weekends.
• On average each day, 32 alcohol-related traffic crashes occurred.
• On average each day, 1.2 persons were killed in alcohol-related traffic crashes.
• On average each day, 23 persons were injured in alcohol-related traffic crashes.

PA DOT further reports that even though alcohol-related crashes accounted for just 9 percent of the total crashes in 2011, they resulted in 33 percent of all persons killed in crashes.  Alcohol-related crashes were 4.7 times more likely to result in death than those not related to alcohol.

The statistics are clear: drinking and driving do not mix.  Our Pennsylvania car accident attorneys ask anyone who has been drinking alcohol to find a designated driver.  There is no safe place on the road when drunk drivers are present.

About Munley, Munley & Cartwright, P.C.

Munley, Munley & Cartwright, P.C., is a Pennsylvania accident and injury law firm that represents car accident victims and their families throughout the state of Pennsylvania and the Northeast, including those injured in accidents that involve speeding, distracted driving, drunk driving, fatigued driving, aggressive driving and careless driving in hazardous weather conditions. The Pennsylvania personal injury law firm’s additional practice areas include trucking accidents, motorcycle accidents, medical malpractice, defective products, toxic chemicals, workplace injuries, nursing home litigation and other serious accidents.

Munley, Munley & Cartwright, P.C., has offices throughout Pennsylvania, including Scranton, Stroudsburg, Carbondale, Plains, Hazleton and Hamlin. The firm’s main office is located at 227 Penn Avenue, Scranton, PA, 18503. The local phone number is (570) 346-7401. To learn more, call (800) 318-LAW1 or use the firm’s online contact form.