Sadly, the holiday season can be a deadly time on U.S. and Texas roadways. In addition to having more vehicles out on the roads, there is also an increase in the number of drunk drivers out. The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has recently issued a press release regarding new model guidelines for ignition interlock devices. Since there is typically a notable increase in drunk driving crashes over the holidays, officials with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the U.S. DOT are hoping these guidelines will help prevent impaired drivers from getting behind the wheel.
Just the Facts
- Last year, deaths that occurred due to drunk driving crashes increased by 4.6 percent.
- 10,322 people died in drunk driving crashes last year.
- In the majority of those crashes, drivers tested at nearly double the legal limit for alcohol.
- In last year’s holiday season alone, 830 people died in drunk driving wrecks.
- When ignition interlocks are installed, convicted drunk drivers are 75 percent less likely to repeat the behavior than other prior offenders without interlock devices.