Drinking and driving is dangerous — there’s no denying that. However, drunk driving incidents often spike in the summer months. This increase happens for a few reasons. Teens and college students have more free time and holidays. Additionally, being able to spend more time outdoors tends to encourage drinking. Discover more about summer drinking and driving statistics.
Labor Day Weekend
While all the summer holidays result in more crashes and fatalities as a result of alcohol consumption, Labor Day weekend is one of the worst. In fact, someone is killed in a drunk driving accident every 34 minutes, on average, during this final summer holiday weekend. While there’s something to be said for having a last hurrah before the summer is over, there are safer ways to go about it than drinking and driving.
Twice as Many Crash Fatalities in Summer Months
Compared to the cooler months, summer months are downright dangerous for alcohol-related accidents. Twice as many people die as a result of alcohol-related incidents in June, July, and August alone. Many people find themselves feeling more carefree when it’s warmer outside, staying late at friend’s houses, or at parties to drink and have a good time.
Unfortunately, many of these same people choose to drive home rather than taking a cab or ride-sharing service. Drinking impairs your ability to think clearly, as well as your motor skills. When you aren’t thinking as quickly and can’t react like you normally would, this disconnect can result in disastrous consequences on the road.
The Big Three Result in an Average of 500 Fatalities Each
The three biggest holidays of the summer, Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day, each average about 500 drinking and driving related fatalities each year. These are usually spread out over three days or so, as two of these holidays fall on weekends. This spike in drinking and driving statistics is a direct result of binge drinking at social events with friends and family.
50% More Teens Die in Summer Drunk Driving Accidents
The old “idle hands” idiom applies strongly to this drinking and driving statistic. Unfortunately, being out of school gives teens too much time to experiment and be able to get into trouble. Drinking with friends is often high on the list of priorities for teens in the summer months. While not only illegal, this is also incredibly dangerous.
Many teens have curfews, and rather than get in trouble with their parents, choose to drive under the influence. Between their still-developing brains and the inability to react as quickly while under the influence, this results in thousands of drunk driving fatalities each year.
How to Change Drinking and Driving Statistics
A lot of times, those who are most comfortable drinking and driving are those who drink often or who are suffering from alcohol use disorder. Since they’re regularly under the influence, they may think that they can easily continue to do normal daily tasks such as driving. Regardless of how often these individuals drink, this isn’t the case.
Seeking alcoholism treatment can help reduce drinking and driving statistics. At Crestview Recovery in Portland, Oregon, we offer a number of addiction treatment programs and therapies to help you begin your journey to long-term sobriety. Give us a call at 866.262.0531 today to learn more.
Since 2016, Dr. Merle Williamson, a graduate of Oregon Health Sciences University, has been the Medical Director at Crestview Recovery, bringing a rich background in addiction medicine from his time at Hazelden Treatment Center. He oversees outpatient drug and alcohol treatments, providing medical care, setting policies, detox protocols, and quality assurance measures. Before specializing in addiction medicine, he spent 25 years in anesthesiology, serving as Chair of Hospital Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee and Chief of Anesthesia at Kaiser Permanente. This experience gives him a unique perspective on treating prescription drug addiction.
