In 2012 the South Carolina chapter of MADD, Mothers Against Drunk Drivers researched impaired driver statistics from all 50 states and determined that our state was one of the worse in the nation for DUI fatalities. Considering that in 2012 across America:
- Thirty people each day died in alcohol or drug related motor vehicle accidents. That was one death every 48 minutes caused by an impaired driver.
- Eighty two percent of all motor vehicle accidents including those involving motorcycles were caused by an impaired driver.
- On average there were 1.4 million arrests for impaired driving with the majority of those arrested having a blood alcohol limit of .18 percent. FYI-the nationwide blood alcohol limit is 0.08 percent.
- Motor vehicle accidents involving drivers under the influence occurred four times more frequently at night than during the day.
- Thirty percent of all DUI fatalities involved young adults aged 25 to 34 years old.
While these nationwide statistics are staggering, the total impact really begins to hit home when you realize that in 2012 South Carolina law enforcement reported the following:
- Across the entire state there were 357 fatalities caused by impaired driving.
- Thirty six of those deaths were young adults under the legal drinking age of 21.
- Seventy five percent of the 357 fatalities were caused by a person with a blood alcohol content of over .15 percent.
- Eighty one percent of repeat offenders who eventually caused a fatal accident had a blood alcohol content of .15 percent or higher.
- Total statewide DUI arrests in 2010 were 17,906 with 99 of those arrests involving teenagers under the age of 18.
Recognizing a growing problem with impaired drivers, in 2010 the South Carolina Highway Patrol kicked off their inaugural campaign, 100 Deadliest Days of Summer, geared specifically toward impaired and aggressive drivers as well as seat belt and child restraint violations. The first year saw dramatic reductions in motor vehicle deaths along with record numbers of individuals following state mandated seat belt requirements. In addition to checking vehicles with child safety seat restraints to ensure they were correctly installed, SCHP officers also focused on educating parents and caregivers on the proper methods of restraining children based on their age, weight and height.
The first six weeks of the initial campaign which began on the Friday leading into Memorial Day weekend saw over 1,300 driving under the influence arrests. Memorial Day weekend 2010 also saw a 50 percent reduction in highway fatalities from the same time period in 2009. Due to the overwhelming success of the initial campaign, the SCHP has continued the 100 Deadliest Days of Summer along with introducing several additional programs all geared toward getting impaired drivers off the road and reducing alcohol related highway deaths.
The Dan Pruitt Law Firm recognizes the seriousness of driving while under the influence and we do not represent individuals charged with impaired driving offenses. Our focus is ensuring you are compensated financially if you are involved in an accident with an impaired driver. If you or a family member has been injured by a driver charged with DUI, please contact us today at 864-232-4273; we are here to make sure you don’t become a statistic.