Every day in the United States, 30 people die in traffic accidents involving drivers under the influence of alcohol — that is, one person every 48 minutes, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol is not just a bad decision; it is a deadly risk for you, your passengers, and everyone who shares the road.
What is driving under the influence?
Driving under the influence occurs when a person operates a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher. For commercial drivers, the limit is 0.04%, and for drivers under 21 years old, any amount of alcohol is ilegal.
But the danger begins even below the legal limit. Alcohol affects:
- Reaction time
- Judgment and decision-making
- The vision and coordination
- The ability to concentrate and stay on track
Even a single drink can affect your driving.
The risks are real
🚗 Higher risk of accident:
A driver with a BAC of 0.08% is 11 times more likely to be involved in a fatal accident than a sober driver.
👨👩👧👦 Loss of innocent lives:
In 2022, more than 13,500 people died in alcohol-related crashes —many of them passengers, pedestrians, or drivers of other vehicles.
💸 Legal and economic consequences:
- License suspensión
- Fines of up to $10,000
- Prison
- Increase in insurance premiums
- Permanent criminal record
📉 Long-term impact:
A DUI conviction can affect your employment, studies, travel, and future opportunities.
It's not just the alcohol
Other substances —such as prescription medications, marijuana, and over-the-counter drugs— can also affect your ability to drive safely. Combining alcohol with drugs multiplies the danger.
How to keep yourself safe
✅ Plan ahead:
- Name a designated driver.
- Use transportation apps (Uber, Lyft).
- Call a taxi or a family member.
- Stay over if necessary.
✅ Intervene:
If someone is about to drive drunk, take away their keys and help them get home safely.
✅ Be a responsable host:
Offer non-alcoholic drinks at parties and make sure guests have safe ways to get home.
“I thought I could drive after two beers. I couldn't. I crashed into another car and hurt a family. I will never forgive myself.”
— A 22-year-old young man from Texas, now on probation.
No trip is worth the risk.
No excuse is enough.
Alcohol not only affects driving: it destroys lives. Choose to drive sober. Choose to protect others. Choose life.
🛑 If you see someone driving under the influence, call 911.
📱 Download a safe transportation app today.
📬 Drive sober. Arrive alive. Share this message.
If you don't have an insurance policy yet, contact us and we will gladly help you make the best decision for you, your family, and your Budget.