In 2018, The NHTSA reported that 36,560 people were killed in vehicle crashes in the United States, which was a 2.4% decrease from 2017. The NHTSA also reported that nearly 30% of the 2018 crashes involved alcohol-impaired-driving. These numbers are important to understand as we head into the end of the holiday season – where people drive recklessly and maybe even under the influence with poor weather conditions becoming the norm.
Alcohol-impaired driving was highlighted throughout the NHTSA 2018 report. Although there was a decrease in fatal accidents from 2017 to 2018, there was also a 3.4% decrease in alcohol-impaired-driving from 2017 to 2018.
How do these numbers line up with Ohio? The NHTSA reported that Ohio accounted for 1,068 of the 36,560 total accidents in the US. That is a 9.4% decrease from 2017 for Ohio, which is great news. However, what stood out to us was that 28% of those accidents involved alcohol-impaired-driving which is nearly on par with the national average. In 2017, 28% of Ohio crashes were also involved with alcohol-impaired-driving. Although the total vehicle accidents decreased, the number of accidents involving alcohol stayed about the same.
As the holiday season is coming to an end, it is important for Ohio drivers to pay attention while on the roads. The weather conditions will only worsen and the negligence of other drivers may put you and your family at risk.
You should not have to deal with the consequences of someone else’s negligence. At Burnside Brankamp Law, we are prepared to stand by you and fight for you every step of the way. We are proud to serve the Underdog in Ohio, Kentucky and West Virginia.