DUISearch results for category: Statistics
Almost 600 Charged with Colorado DUI Over Holiday
Statewide crackdown on drunk driving in CO part of summer long campaign.
According to the Colorado State Patrol, nearly 600 motorists were charged with drunk driving in the state over the Fourth of July holiday. During the three and a half day extended weekend, law enforcement agencies made 593 arrests for driving under the influence in Colorado.
The State Patrol made 129 CO DUI arrests. The City of Denver police department made 73 arrests; Colorado Springs police, 54; Aurora police, 36; Larimer County Sheriff’s department, 21 and Boulder police, 19.
The State Patrol, county sheriff’s departments and local law enforcement agencies are participating in a campaign targeting drunk driving in Colorado called ‘100 Days of Heat’. The effort calls for high police visibility, DUI saturation patrols and sobriety checkpoints through Labor Day.
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Holiday Deaths in Ohio Lowest in Decade
Number of traffic fatalities over Fourth of July holiday lowest since 1998.
The Ohio State Highway patrol released figures indicating that the number of traffic fatalities over the Fourth of July holiday were the lowest in more than a decade. There were five fatal crashes over the extended weekend, the lowest number since 1998. Last year there were 15 people killed on Ohio roads during the same period of time.
Law enforcement agencies across the state used saturation patrols to combat speeding, reckless driving, seat belt violations and DUI/OVI in Ohio. A total of 556 motorists were charged with driving under the influence in OH during the holiday.
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Texting More Dangerous Than DUI
Study shows texting while driving adversely impacts reaction times.
A study conducted by ‘Car and Driver’ shows that texting while driving is significantly more dangerous than driving under the influence of alcohol drugs. Drivers texting messages are 3-4 times slower than drunk drivers to apply brakes to avoid a collision.
Previous studies conducted in vehicle simulators have shown that texting impairs a driver’s skills. Car and Driver decided to conduct a study in actual vehicles and directly compare reaction times of those texting with those under the influence of alcohol. Using an airfield taxiway, drivers were required to react to a light mounted at eye-level on the windshield, simulating brake lights of an advance vehicle. Vehicle speed, brake pedal position and steering angle were all monitored, and baselines for the test were established. Data was collected as drivers responded to the dash light five times, with the slowest reaction time being dropped. First the drivers performed the test while texting. They then consumed alcohol until their blood alcohol content registered .08%, the legal limit for intoxication in most states, and repeated the test without cell phones.
In one set of results, a driver’s response time while texting nearly tripled his baseline response. The extra reaction time while impaired was only .04 second more than his baseline. At 70 miles per hour, the subject’s vehicle traveled an additional 319 feet while texting, and 17 extra feet while impaired by alcohol.
One national insurance provider estimates that 20% of drivers regularly send text messages or emails while driving.
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Number of Pursuits by Pennsylvania Police Drops
PA DUI is third most common reason for vehicle pursuits.
The Pennsylvania State Police Commissioner released statistics showing a drop in the number of police pursuits during 2008. A total of 1,809 pursuits were made last year, compared to 1,931 during 2007. Deaths resulting from a pursuit were also down, from thirteen in 2007 to nine in 2008.
The figures reflect actions undertaken by law enforcement agencies across the state. The most common reason for initiating a pursuit was a traffic violation, such as speeding (910 pursuits). Felony criminal charges (260), driving under the influence in Pennsylvania (239) and stolen vehicles (227) were the other most cited reasons. Of all the pursuits initiated, 1,301 resulted in apprehension.
According to state law, each law enforcement agency must have a written policy for vehicle pursuit, including when to initiate, continue or terminate a pursuit. Because of safety concerns, such information is considered confidential and not available to the public. A pursuit is defined as a motorist resisting apprehension by increasing speed or ignoring indications to stop.
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Texas Crime Rates Vary on Availability of Alcohol
Wet counties actually have lower numbers of Texas DWI arrests.
A review of crime and traffic data shows that counties that sell alcohol have distinct differences in crime rates and alcohol related accidents from those that don’t. Though not in the way that opponents of alcohol sales and distribution might think.
The fear that alcohol sales lead to additional crime, especially drunk driving in Texas, is basically unfounded. Based on 2007 data from the Texas Department of Public Safety and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the number of arrests for driving while intoxicated in Texas was 502 per 100,000 residents in dry counties versus 445 in wet. The number of traffic fatalities involving alcohol in dry counties was 5.7 per 100,000 residents in dry counties; more than twice the 2.7 rate in wet areas.
Wet counties, however, showed a dramatic difference in domestic violence. There were 849 reports of domestic violence per 100,000 residents in wet areas compared to 482 in dry counties. Reports of increased aggravated assault were inconclusive, leading some to feel that the size of the city was more influential than the availability of alcohol.
The density of alcohol outlets was not shown to be directly associated with an increase in crime, though influential. Places permitting on-premise consumption of alcohol, like bars and restaurants, generally lead to an increase in the number of domestic abuse and aggravated assault, while off-premise establishments, like liquor stores, grocery stores and convenience stores, do not.
The mix statistics has lead law enforcement groups to promise aggressive enforcement in counties that decide to permit alcohol sales. That includes increased patrols for Texas DWI, undercover stings in establishments and coordination with the TABC in shutting down problems stores.
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Colorado Wrestles with Repeat DUI Offenders
Study shows 1 in 3 offenders had prior CO drunk driving arrest.
According to a study done by the Denver Post newspaper, one in three drivers arrested for driving under the influence in Colorado are repeat offenders. Between 2005 and 2007, law enforcement records show an average of 31,011 arrests for Colorado DUI. According to data from probation department evaluations, an average 10,835 had at least one prior arrest for drunk driving.
Colorado is one of four states where multiple DUI convictions do not necessarily result in a felony. Of the repeat offenders, 84 had at least 10 prior arrests and 5 had more than 20.
In recent years Colorado legislators have lowered the threshold for intoxication from .10% to .08%. Laws have been passed making it more difficult to plea bargain DUI cases and increasing the penalties for driving under the influence and driving while ability impaired. Citing a tight state budget, lawmakers have not passed a felony DUI law. In addition, the state grapples with prison overcrowding, full court dockets and an over-worked probation system.
A Colorado DUI task force is looking into measures to diminish drunk driving, especially repeat offenses.
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DUI Arrests Lower on Big Island of Hawaii
Total auto accidents and fatalities also down.
During 2009, police on the Big Island have reported 233 arrests for suspicion of driving under the influence in Hawaii. That includes 27 arrests during the week of March 3-9.
Last year during the same period of time there were a total of 246 HI DUI arrests, making the latest figures a 5.3% decrease. The majority of the DUI arrests were made in South Hilo.
Serious auto accidents are down from 360 to 298, a 17.2 percent decrease. Traffic fatalities for the year total 5, down from 9 during the same window in 2008.
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California DUI Study Show Crashes Up Among Young Female Drivers
Study conducted by the Automobile Club of Southern California.
Following a string of high profile arrests for drunk driving in California by celebrities like Nicole Ritchie, Lindsey Lohan and Paris Hilton, a senior researcher with the Automobile Club of Southern California wanted to know if a trend was developing. Steven Bloch found that the number of young females in serious accidents involving alcohol or drugs was up dramatically since in the past decade.
In San Diego County, 18-24 year old females driving under the influence who caused fatal or injury related crashes rose 124%, from 49 to 110 accidents. Of those between 18 and 20 years of age, the figure doubled to 100.
Bloch used the figures from the California Highway Patrol for arrests for driving under the influence in California over the past ten years. While men still are involved with the majority of alcohol related crashes by a two to one ratio over females, their involvement in such crashes is not increasing. In contrast, deadly impaired driving accidents attributable to women had risen significantly. Factors that could attribute for the rise include an increase in the number of female drivers, women driving more miles and women driving more aggressively.
Bloch says there is another contributing factor; the marketing of alcoholic beverages to females. The alcohol industry has turned to sweeter, fruit flavored drinks and packaging to appeal to the female market.
In response, health officials recommend stronger education initiatives about the dangers of alcohol. They also want to emphasize that it is possible to be arrested for California DUI without being stumbling drunk or even in excess of the .08% threshold for legal intoxication. Police can initiate an DUI arrest simply based on perceived impairment.
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Arrests Up for Hawaii DUI in Honolulu
Police report an increase in arrests for drunk driving in Honolulu during 2008.
The Honolulu Police Department has released figures showing an increase in the number of arrests for driving under the influence in Hawaii. Nearly 400 more motorists were charged with suspicion of DUI in Honolulu in 2008 than the previous year. That continues an eight year trend reflective of increased law enforcement efforts.
The total number of arrests for suspicion of drunk driving in Honolulu during 2008 was 4,316. All but 62 of those cases were formally charged and prosecuted. In related news, there were 46 vehicular fatalities on the island of Oahu, 14 of which involved alcohol, a significant drop in both categories.
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Utah DUI Related Fatalities Lowest In Nation
Report shows Utah has dramatically lower percentage of fatalities from drunk driving.
A report to be presented to state legislators indicates that Utah has the lowest percentage of fatalities attributable to driving under the influence. With the most recent figures show the United States average is 41%, Utah DUI accounts for 22% of road fatalities.
The report is the sixth such accounting. It indicates a slight drop in drunk-driving related fatalities from 2006 to 2007. It also shows an increase in the number of arrests for driving under the influence in Utah; up 639 arrests to a total of 15,300. The fiscal accounting period ended June 30.
If you have been arrested for DUI in Utah you need a UT DUI Lawyer.
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