Mini Reasons to Stay Sober

By | July 20, 2009

The survey showed a decline in the percentage of legally intoxicated drivers, but for the first time used screening techniques that detected other substances as well.

My husband and I recently bought ourselves a new car for the first time in almost 10 years. Our youngest daughter just graduated from university so we gave her our 2001 Honda Accord. Nothing fancy, but it’s been a good car and it should continue to serve her well.

Uncharacteristically, the vehicle we chose to replace it with is what, for us, might be considered a sports car – a Mini Cooper. This automobile is VERY SMALL. (By the way, our independent agent did a tremendous job with all the changes to our auto policy and securing a reasonable premium. Thank you!)

Did I mention that this new car is VERY SMALL? While we’ve been thrilled so far with the Mini’s performance, handling and, especially, gas mileage, its size has caused us to be ever more aware of how other drivers navigate their vehicles around town and on the highways. Compared to ours, most other vehicles out there are VERY LARGE.

So it was with interest that I noted the recently published results of a roadside survey by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration regarding the percentage of alcohol and drug impaired drivers on U.S. roads.

The survey showed a decline in the percentage of legally intoxicated drivers, but for the first time used screening techniques that detected other substances as well. In 1973, 7.5 percent of drivers had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 or higher. The good news is that in the latest survey, that figure had fallen to 2.2 percent.

Interestingly the survey, which focused on weekend nighttime drivers and involved more than 300 roadside locations, found that 16.3 percent of drivers screened were drug positive. The most common drugs were: marijuana (8.6 percent); cocaine (3.9 percent); and over-the-counter and prescription drugs (3.9 percent).

In response to the survey, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said while the percentage of legally intoxicated drivers has declined, “alcohol still kills 13,000 people a year on our roads and we must continue to be vigilant in our efforts to prevent drunk driving.” As for the drugs, while the NHTSA is concerned about the percentage of drivers who show evidence of drugs in their system, it is continuing to conduct research to assess how drug traces correspond to driver impairment.

The survey found the percentage of alcohol-impaired male drivers was 42 percent higher than that of alcohol-impaired female drivers, and that illegally drunk drivers were more likely to be out during late night time hours. Motorcycle riders were more than twice as likely as passenger vehicle drivers to be drunk (5.6 percent compared with 2.3 percent). Pickup truck drivers were the next most likely to have illegal BACs (3.3 percent).

Be careful out there!

Topics Auto

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Insurance Journal Magazine July 20, 2009
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