Omaha/Council Bluffs Metro Area Ranks As One Of The Top 10 Dangerous Drunk-Driving Cities

I am very sad to report:

1.  In 2006, an estimated 17,602 people died in alcohol-related traffic crashes—an average of one every 30 minutes.

2.  These deaths constitute 41 percent of the 42,642 total traffic fatalities during that year.

3.  Roughly one-third of all drivers arrested or convicted of driving while intoxicated or driving under the influence of alcohol are repeat offenders.

These statistics are from the Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) website: 

I am also sad to report that that the Omaha/Council Bluffs metropolitan area is ranked #4 in “10 most dangerously drunk cities”, joining Denver, Anchorage, Colorado Springs, Fargo, San Antonio, Austin, Fresno, Lubbock and Milwaukee, according to Men’s Health Magazine. Other statistics of interest include:

1.  About three in every ten Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related crash with a drunk driver at some time in their lives.

2.  The rate of alcohol impairment among drivers involved in fatal crashes is four times higher at night than during the day (36% versus 9%), so beware and watch for drunk drivers after dark!

3.  Alcohol-related crashes in the United States cost us, the public, an estimated $114.3 billion in 2000.  People other than the drunk driver paid $71.6 billion of the alcohol-related crash bill, which is 63 percent of the total cost of these crashes.

These “sobering” statistics tell us that we need to be extra careful, and on the lookout at all times, especially after dark.  DRIVE SAFE!