Government Survey Shows Millions Drink And Drive

More than 17 million people have driven while drunk at least once on U.S. streets and highways in the course of a year, according to a government study released Wednesday.

A National Highway Traffic Safety Administration survey conducted in late 2008 found that 20 percent of those 16 and older reported driving within two hours of drinking alcohol.

Based on the survey results, NHTSA estimates that in one year’s time, 8 percent of all drivers, or 17.2 million people, have driven at least once even though they thought they were drunk.

Additionally, 8 percent said they got a ride from a driver they thought was drunk. This was a particular problem for males between 21 and 24 years old. In this age group, 24 percent reported riding with a driver they thought had consumed too much alcohol.

Texas is participating in a national campaign to promote the dangers of drinking and driving, launching “Drink. Drive. Go to Jail” last Friday.

“People don’t seem to realize that it takes very little alcohol to affect their motor skills and their driving judgments,” James Chesshire of the Texas Department of Transportation told ABC-7 last week. “If they’ve had anything to drink at all, it’s too much.”

On the positive side, 81 percent of those surveyed see drinking and driving as a serious public safety threat.

“We have got to do more, as a country, to close the gap between believing that drunk driving is a threat and actively doing something about it,” NHTSA Administrator David Strickland said.

The anti-drunk driving campaign in Texas and El Paso means more law enforcement officers are on patrol looking for intoxicated drivers.

The increased patrols last until September 6.