30 Million Americans Drive Drunk Annually

30 million Americans drive drunk, while 10 million drive under the influence of drugs over the course of an average year, reveal a new survey. The study by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) found the rates of driving under the influence varied significantly among the states, with some topping 20 percent, like Wisconsin (23.7 percent) and North Dakota (22.4 percent), reports the CBS News.

Rhode Island (7.8 percent) and Vermont (6.6 percent) led the way for highest rates of driving under the influence of drugs.

The lowest rates of drunk driving took place in Utah (7.4 percent) and Mississippi (8.7 percent). Iowa and New Jersey had the lowest levels of drugged driving in the past year (2.9 percent and 3.2 percent respectively).

Drivers from 16-25 drove drunk more often than those 26 or older. Younger people also drove while under the influence of illicit drugs more.

However, on overall, there has been a reduction of drunk and drugged driving in the past few years.

Survey data from 2002 through 2005 combined when compared to data gathered from 2006 to 2009 combined indicate that the average yearly rate of drunk driving has declined from 14.6 percent to 13.2 percent, while the average yearly rate of drugged driving has decreased from 4.8 percent to 4.3 percent.

Advertisement

Source-ANI