ASAP ENCOURAGES YOU TO CLICK ON ICONS ABOVE TO VIEW THE MOTHERS AGAINST DRUNK DRIVING AND THE STUDENTS AGAINST DRUNK DRIVING WEB SITES. 

The national Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has released the estimates of traffic fatalities for 1998.

• Last year, preliminary estimates indicate that there were 15,936 people killed in alcohol-related crashes.
• Overall, 38.4 percent of the total traffic fatalities were alcohol-related.
• Nearly two-thirds (62%) of all drivers and passengers who died on the nation's highways were not wearing seat belts.

*Source: NHTSA Fatal Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 1999.

1997 Statistics

• 16,189 people were killed in crashes involving alcohol in the United States -- an average of one every 32 minutes. These deaths constituted approximately 38.6% of the total 41,967 traffic fatalities. (NHTSA, 1998)
  
  
• About 1,058,990 were injured in alcohol-related crashes -- an average of one person injured approximately every 30 seconds. About 30,000 people a year will suffer permanent work-related disabilities. (Miller at al, 1996b)
  
  
• Every weekday night from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m., one in 13 drivers is drunk (BAC of .08 or more). Between 1 a.m. and 6 a.m. on weekend mornings, one in seven drivers is drunk. (Miller et al., 1996c)
  
  
• About three in every five Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related crash at some time in their lives. (NHTSA,1997)
  
  
• Economic costs of alcohol-related crashes are estimated to be $45 billion yearly. An additional $70.5 billion is lost in quality of life due to these crashes. (Miller et al, 1996b)
  
  
• In 1997, there were 2 alcohol-related traffic deaths per hour, 45 per day and 315 per week. That is the equivalent of 2 jetliners crashing week after week. (NHTSA, 1997)
  
  
• While most drivers involved in fatal crashes have no prior conviction for DWI, those who do are at a significantly greater risk of causing a drunk driving crash. (NHTSA, 1997)
  
  
• During the period 1982 through 1997, approximately 333,586 persons lost their lives in alcohol-related traffic crashes. (NHTSA, 1998)
  
  
• A driver with a BAC of 0.15 is more than 300 times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash. (NHTSA, 1997)
  
  
• In the past decade, four times as many Americans died in drunk driving crashes as were killed in the Vietnam War. (NHTSA, 1995)
  
  
• Drunk driving is the nation's most frequently committed violent crime. (MADD, 1996)

Physical effects of alcohol.....

Once alcohol is absorbed into the bloodstream, it is rapidly distributed throughout the body affecting almost every cell, organ, and level of functioning. The most profound early effects is on the central nervous system. It acts as a sedative, producing relaxation and a sense of well-being. It impairs intellect, physical abilities and metabolism. Alcohol reaches the brain within minutes.

Alcohol keeps passing through the brain until the liver has had time to oxidize it. The flow of oxygen to the brain is reduced. Fuzzy thinking, staggering, and confused speech results. Increased amounts of alcohol can cause brain damage, unconsciousness or death.

HEART: The workload of the heart is increased. Alcohol can raise blood pressure and cause the heart to beat irregularly which can lead to heart failure. Heavy use of alcohol over a period of years can damage the main heart muscle.

STOMACH: Alcohol goes right into the stomach and then most of it goes down into the small intestine. The stomach lining is irritated and vomiting can result. Repeat use can cause ulcers and cancer of the esophagus.

LIVER: The liver changes alcohol to water, carbon dioxide and energy (oxidation). About 0ne-half ounce of alcohol an hour is oxidized. Until the liver has time to oxidize all the alcohol, it keeps passing through all parts of the body. Over a period of time the liver becomes swollen and tender, which can keep the liver from working properly and bring on diseases. An alcohol damaged liver can also reduce the production of substances that clot blood.

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