DMV Roads Safer From Drunk Drivers Than Rest of Country: Study

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Year after year, drunk drivers have been a menace on America's roads, causing about one-third of all fatal crashes. A recent study of traffic fatality data compiled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows that over a 20-year period, Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia ranked among the places with the lowest rates of drunk driving fatalities in the U.S.

The study found that the District had the lowest rate of drunk driving fatalities from 1994 to 2015, at 0.6 per 100,000 residents. Virginia ranked sixth lowest among all 50 states and the District, with 1.8 fatalities per 100,000 residents, and Maryland ranked ninth lowest, at 2.1 per 100,000.

The states with the highest rate of drunk driving fatalities were Wyoming, with 7.7 per 100,000; Montana, with 7.0 per 100,000; and North Dakota, with 5.7 per 100,000.

"When an individual drives a vehicle of several tons while under the influence, he or she becomes a loaded weapon," the study says. "It’s clear that America’s roadways become deadly when individuals risk their own safety and the safety of others to drive while under the influence."

John Townsend, a spokesman for AAA Mid-Atlantic, said that "Virginia and Maryland have been extremely aggressive" in passing tough laws against drunk driving, "and that has made a big difference."

He pointed to Noah's Law, a new measure in Maryland that went into effect in October. It requires interlock devices to be installed for six months in the vehicles of motorists who have been convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol. Those who refuse the devices can have their license suspended for six months.

To start their car, motorists have to blow into the ignition device to prove they haven't had too much to drink. The law is named for Noah Leotta, a Montgomery County police officer who was struck and killed by a drunk driver on Dec. 3, 2015.

In Virginia, Townsend said, a new law went into effect this month that increases civil and criminal penalties for drivers who refuse to submit to a blood or breath test for alcohol.

Driving While High

Drivers under the influence of drugs like marijuana have posed a growing threat. The federal data shows 21 percent of the 31,166 fatal crashes in the country in 2015 involved at least one driver who tested positive for drugs, up from 12 percent in 2005, USA Today reported.

Virginia and Maryland are among the states with the lowest rate of drugged driver fatalities, including drivers using illegal drugs or prescription medications, according to the study "America's Loaded Roads." It was released this week by Alcoholic.org, an online source for information on alcohol abuse prevention, addiction treatment and recovery.

The study breaks down NHTSA data on traffic fatalities from 1994 to 2015, to show the prevalence of intoxicated driving and the locations of America's deadliest roads.

As for drugged driving, the study found that Virginia ranked fourth lowest among all states for fatalities, with 0.11 per 100,000, while Maryland had the ninth lowest rate, at 2.0 per 100,000.

West Virginia had the highest rate of drugged driving fatalities, with 2.33 per 100,000 residents. Wyoming came in second with 1.76 per 100,000, followed by Vermont with 1.63 per 100,000.

At least 1 in 4 fatal drug-related car accidents involved marijuana, the study said.

Maryland, however, is among three states that saw a massive increase in drugged driver fatalities from 2014 to 2015, the study showed. The rate per 100,000 residents rose by 158.7 percent, with most of the increase attributed to three rural counties: St. Mary's, and Queen Anne and Worcester on the Eastern Shore.

In Arkansas, the rate rose by 364.81 percent, and in Rhode Island, it rose by 249.63 percent. The nationwide epidemic of addiction to opioid drugs has driven the increase in all three states, creating more dangers on the roads, the study said.

To check out the study, "America's Loaded Roads," click here.

Image: Shutterstock

Graphics courtesy of Alcoholic.org