Report: About a Quarter of Drivers in Some States Drove Under the Influence -- Occupational Health & Safety

Report: About a Quarter of Drivers in Some States Drove Under the Influence

Apr 28, 2008

According to a national report, about 15.1 percent of the nation's drivers age 18 and older drove under the influence of alcohol at least once in the past year. The report says that in some states the levels are far higher -- about one in four drivers.

Nationwide, an estimated 30.5 million people drove under the influence of alcohol at least once in the past year according to the report by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

Driving under the influence ranged from a low of 9.5 percent in Utah, to highs of 26.4 percent in Wisconsin, 24.9 percent in North Dakota and 23.5 percent in Minnesota.

State Estimates of Adults Driving under the Influence of Alcohol and Illicit Drugs is based on the combined data from the 2004 to 2006 National Surveys on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) and provides state-level estimates for the pervasiveness of driving under the influence of alcohol and driving under the influence of illicit drugs. These estimates are annual averages based on combined data collected from 127,283 current drivers surveyed in 2004, 2005 and 2006, the most recent data available.

The report also shows that nationwide nearly one in 20 adult drivers aged 18 or older drove under the influence of illicit drugs such as marijuana/hashish, cocaine/crack, inhalants, hallucinogens, heroin or prescription drugs used nonmedically.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were almost 16,700 deaths in 2004 caused by accidents related to driving under the influence of alcohol. Overall, driving under the influence of alcohol and illicit drugs is among the leading sources of preventable death by injury in the United States.

"This report highlights the enormous public health risk posed by this problem – one threatening the lives of many Americans every day," said SAMHSA Administrator Terry Cline, Ph.D. "By highlighting the scope and nature of this problem in each state we can help communities best use their efforts and resources to address this preventable menace."

State-by state listings of the percentage of adult drivers who drove under the influence of either alcohol or illicit drugs in the past year are provided in the chart following this release.

The full report is available at http://oas.samhsa.gov/2k8/stateDUI/stateDUI.cfm.

Industrial Hygiene Product Showcase

Halo™ Eye/Face Wash Provides Greatest Washdown

Bradley’s Halo™ eye and eye/face wash arms users with the most effective emergency relief available in the industry. Halo provides 20 percent better protection than any other model on the market. With a more uniform and complete spray pattern distribution, and exclusive features that increase hygiene, users attain the greatest contaminant relief and protection available. Using the latest technology in fluid dynamics, Halo works in tandem with a pressure regulated flow control and the spinning motion of water, which creates an optimal spray pattern to rinse off contaminants quickly and thoroughly, ensuring the most effective flush available. 3
Altec Sentry

Altec’s commitment to safety extends beyond the investments we make in designing and manufacturing equipment. Keeping crews safe on the job is important to us. For nearly 20 years, Altec Sentry has helped employees train and certify Altec equipment operators on safe and proper operation. We are committed to your safety and believe that industry-leading equipment deserves industry-leading training. That’s exactly what Altec Sentry provides. Altec Sentry has a unique array of training options designed to help employers qualify their operators to safely operate and properly maintain Altec equipment. We also provide preparatory courses and practical examinations for National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO) crane and digger derrick operator certifications. 3
Kestrel Heat Stress Monitoring System

Ensure worker safety & regulatory compliance with the Kestrel® Heat Stress Monitoring System. With real-time remote access to critical data, leaders have the information to make timely decisions preventing workplace heat-related injuries and incidents. The Kestrel 5400 Heat Stress Tracker with LiNK connects via Bluetooth to a wall-mounted remote monitoring tablet showing current data. Use the Kestrel LiNK app to manage and log work conditions, view graphs, and create shareable reports. The Ambient Weather Network (AWN) online portal and app offer remote monitoring capabilities for 24-7 visibility, including a custom dashboard and the ability to set alerts for changing conditions. 3