The rate of driving under the influence of alcohol has steadily declined from 2002-2014

Tuesday, December 27, 2016

However 27.7 million Americans drove under the influence of alcohol in 2014

A new report by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) based on the most recent data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) shows a steady drop in the rate of driving under the influence of alcohol in the past year (from 15.3 percent in 2002 to 11.1 percent in 2014). One of the sharpest declines occurred among people 21-25 years old, whose rate of driving under the influence of alcohol dropped from 29.9 percent in 2002 to 18.9 percent in 2014.

However, the report shows that a significant number of Americans still report that they drove under the influence of alcohol and/or illicit substances in 2014. For example, 27.7 million Americans aged 16 or older (11.1 percent of this age group) drove under the influence of alcohol in 2014. The report indicates that 10.1 million Americans in this age group (4.1 percent) drove under the influence of illicit drugs, and that 5.9 million Americans in this age group (2.5 percent) drove under the influence of alcohol and illicit drugs at the same time in 2014.

Driving while impaired by drugs or alcohol is a major public health risk. For example, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, alcohol–related fatalities represented 31 percent of all traffic-related deaths in 2014. The holiday season is an important time to keep the dangers of drunk and drugged driving in mind since people may be more likely to imbibe during this time of the year.

“Although it is heartening to see a downward trend in levels of driving under the influence of alcohol, it still kills thousands of people each year and shatters the lives of friends and loved ones left behind,” said Frances Harding, Director of SAMHSA’s Center for Substance Abuse Prevention. “We must strive to save lives by reducing this public health threat through education, prevention, and all other possible measures.”

Rates of Driving Under the Influence by Age Groups

Levels of self-reported drunk and/or drugged driving differed dramatically among age groups. For example, rates of driving under the influence of alcohol in 2014 rose steadily from age 16 until peaking at about 19.4 percent for those aged 21-29. Rates of driving under the influence of alcohol begin to decrease around age 30 and continue drop among older age groups until they reached a low of 4.1 percent among people age 65 and older. A similar relationship exists between age groups and the rate of driving under the influence of illicit substance. Rates steadily rise from age 16 to the early 20s and then steadily drop among older age groups.

Rates of Driving Under the Influence by Gender

Overall, males were significantly more likely than females to have driven under the influence of either alcohol or illicit drugs in 2014. Males were also more likely than females to have driven under the simultaneous influence of alcohol and illicit drugs in 2014.

Resources for information and help

For the latest information about the public health risks of alcohol misuse one can go to http://www.stopalcoholabuse.gov/ . This site provides updated information about the risks, such as drunk driving, as well as new and effective prevention strategies and activities. Another SAMHSA Web site (https://www.samhsa.gov/prevention) provides comprehensive information about SAMHSA's substance abuse prevention research, support and public outreach activities.

In addition, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has a Web site at http://www.nhtsa.gov/Driving-Safety/Impaired-Driving that provides detailed information about the dangers of drunk and drugged driving and what can be done to help combat the problem.

Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol and Illicit Drugs, is available at https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/report_2688/ShortReport-2688.html. It is based on data from SAMHSA’s NSDUH reports – annual surveys of more than 67,500 Americans covering a wide range of behavioral health issues.

People seeking help with a substance use problem can go to SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline. SAMHSA’s National Helpline is a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders.

For more information, contact the SAMHSA Press Office at 240-276-2130.