1/3 of all NJ driving fatalities involve alcohol. Our mission is to provide community resources and programs that foster responsible decisions regarding alcohol and the dangers of underage drinking.
Between 1991 and 2009, the rate of alcohol impaired driving fatalities has decreased 44% nationally, and 58% among those under 21. While these statistics and others are positive indicators of the gains being made to fight drunk driving, the fact remains that drunk drivers across the state are involved in car accidents at an inordinately high rate, with more than 30 percent of all fatalities reported in New Jersey last year being DUI-related. Because every one of these deaths is avoidable, there is still much to be done.
ADDRESSING UNDERAGE DRINKING
More than 25,000 lives have been saved in the U.S. thanks to the 21 Minimum Legal Drinking Age. Sometimes, without knowing all the facts, people assert that youth shouldn’t have to wait until they’re 21 to drink. Get the facts here: http://www.madd.org/underage-drinking/why21/
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has released state-by-state drunk driving fatality data for 2010. You can find your state’s fatality data here.
- Each and every year almost 11,000 people are killed in drunk driving crashes.
- Teen alcohol use kills about 6,000 people each year, more thaa all illegal drugs combined.
- GfK Roper Youth Report showed that 74% of kids (8-17) said their parents are the leading influence on their decisions about drinking. Parental influence is the most important factor in helping keep teens safe.
New Jersey is one of the toughest states in the country when it comes to drinking and driving. In spite of this common knowledge, every year thousands of NJ drivers are convicted of Driving Under the Influence (DUI) for the first time. Why so many? The answer is surprisingly simple. Every one of us has had the same thought: "It won't happen to me."
But it can happen surprisingly easily. Many people can reach the legal limit of intoxication without even realizing it. Being "legally intoxicated" means having a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 or higher and does not refer to feelings of intoxication, imply staggering or slurred speech, or entail uncontrolled emotions or wild behavior. So acting and feeling sober does not indicate whether you are legally intoxicated or not.
Additionally, most of us do not fully realize the cost of a DUI conviction in New Jersey, but it is phenomenal:
- Depending upon the Blood Alcohol level, license suspension can be for a little as three months up to one year.
- $250 - $400 court fine, $35 court administrative cost, $100 Drunk Driving Fund, $50 Violent Crimes Act, $75 Safe Community.
- $200 to DMV for license restoration and administrative cost.
- $230 to Intoxicated Drivers Resource Center and two days off of work to complete the course.
- $3,000 insurance surcharge paid at a rate of $1,000 per year for three years.
- $1,500 legal fees.
- $600 to $900 additional education courses.
- approximately triple motor vehicle insurance cost of $1,200.
Total cost starts at $ 8,100...and that assumes no one was injured. This does not include any ensuing costs of transportation, time lost from work and possible loss of employment.
Decisions
- Take mass transit, a taxi, or ask a sober friend to drive you home.
- Spend the night where the activity is held.
- Report impaired drivers to law enforcement. In New Jersey, drivers may dial#77 on their cell phones to report a drunk driver.
- Always buckle up every ride. It’s your best defense against an impaired driver.
- If you are intoxicated and traveling on foot, the safest way to get home is to take a cab or have a sober friend or family member drive or escort you to your doorstep.
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In November 2006, MADD launched its Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving®. Today, on the fifth anniversary, we’re releasing a Report to the Nation, which rates each state on its progress toward eliminating drunk driving.
Since the launch in 2006, we’ve made substantial progress together, but there is still much work to be done. The Report rates the nation three stars on a five-star scale (based on the average of the state ratings). In addition, updated figures show that drunk driving costs the United States more than $132 billion annually.
View the full Report to the Nation to learn more, or see where your state ranks on our interactive map.
During this time of year, when drunk driving crashes are most prevalent, we are reminded that the goal of the Campaign is to have no more drunk driving victims. MADD calls on the nation to rededicate itself to saving lives, preventing injuries and eliminating this primary threat on our nation’s roadways.
You can help by forwarding this message to your friends and family to get more people involved in the fight against drunk driving.
Sincerely,
Jan Withers
MADD National President
P.S. MADD’s Report to the Nation is sponsored by Nationwide Insurance and State Farm Insurance. For more information about the Report, you can view the press release. For more information about MADD’sCampaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving, visit www.madd.org/campaign.
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