CDC: 112 million alcohol-impaired driving episodes occurred in 2010

Atlanta – Approximately one-third of all motor vehicle crash fatalities involve alcohol-impaired driving, according to a report released Oct. 7 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In 2010, an estimated 4 million U.S. adults reported at least one episode of alcohol-impaired driving, and the estimated total came to approximately 112 million alcohol-impaired driving episodes last year, the report said.

Researchers concluded that rates of self-reported alcohol-impaired driving have declined substantially in recent years. However, rates remain disproportionally high among young men, binge drinkers and those who do not always wear a safety belt.

“To reduce the excessive drinking associated with alcohol-impaired driving, states and communities should consider increasing alcohol taxes, regulating alcohol outlet density, and enacting dram shop liability laws,” the report said.

Additionally, CDC advises all states to consider requiring ignition interlocks in vehicles of people convicted of alcohol-impaired driving.