Having a new teen driver, or becoming one, can be both stressful and exciting. Before you begin, get all the information you need to make informed decisions.

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   Research >> Driving Under the Influence Statistics

Introduction
Car crashes are the number one killer of teens in the country. Almost 25 percent of the 6,000 teen fatalities each year are alcohol related. Alcohol is the number one drug of choice for teens and is the leading contributing factor in teen deaths. Underage drinking is illegal and can have disastrous consequences.

Arizona is a Zero Tolerance state. This means that if you are under 21, you can have no alcohol in your blood (A BAC of .00). If caught driving while under the influence the consequences will be severe.

  • First offense can yield:

    • Probation for up to 2 years.

    • $1,500 fine plus 80 percent surcharge.

    • Payment for installation and maintenance of Ignition Interlock Device, which can be over $800.

    • Court ordered substance abuse counseling (paid for by juvenile offender).

  • Teen may be uninsurable and may affect ability to go to college or get a job.

DUI Facts
Approximately 1.4 million drivers were arrested in 2004 for driving under the influence of alcohol or narcotics. This is an arrest rate of 1 for every 139 licensed drivers in the United States. (NHTSA)

The rate of alcohol involvement in fatal crashes is more than 3 times higher at night than during the day (59 percent vs. 18 percent). For all crashes, the alcohol involvement rate is 5 times higher at night (16 percent vs. 3 percent). (NHTSA)

Alcohol-related crashes in the United States cost the public an estimated $114.3 billion in 2000, including $51.1 billion in monetary costs and an estimated $63.2 billion in quality of life losses. People other than the drinking driver paid $71.6 billion of the alcohol-related crash bill, which is 63 percent of the total cost of these crashes. (NHTSA)

NHTSA estimates that these laws have saved an estimated 21,887 lives since 1975 (through 2002).

In 2002, an estimated 917 lives were saved by minimum drinking age laws. In 2002, 24 percent of young drivers killed in automobile accidents were legally intoxicated. (NHTSA)

In 2005, nearly 1.4 million drivers were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or narcotics.

In 2005, 16% of drivers ages 16 to 20 who died in motor vehicle crashes had been drinking alcohol. (NHTSA 2006)