Today, UK news outlets are reporting that more than half of drunk drivers are caught the morning after drinking in some areas of the country. Nationally, the statistics show that 13% of those arrested were between 5 a.m. and noon. This data indicates that many people caught “drink driving” actually think they’ve slept off their night of drinking, but are unaware that they may actually still be legally drunk.
In the U.S., statistics are showing that more DUI stops occur between 9 p.m. and 3 a.m. Additionally, 54% of all fatal crashes happen at night are alcohol-related, according to a 2009 article on Forbes.com. Whereas only 18% of fatal crashes during the day are alcohol related.
These statistics bring to mind a couple questions around the safety of U.S. roads. Is law enforcement more aware of impaired drivers at night rather than the morning? Are drinkers feeling too confident that a night of drinking followed by a few hours of sleep really makes them legally sober?
Food for thought. What are your thoughts? Is it likely Americans are just as inclined to drive impaired the next morning as drinkers in the UK?
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