The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) recently conducted a survey that revealed a surprising number of young adult drivers in the state lack knowledge about state laws regarding driving under the influence of alcohol .
In addition to the survey, CDOT also conducted an experiment to determine how young adults view drunk driving. The experiment, called “A Few Beers – Social Experiment,” found that most people had little concern about a driver getting behind the wheel even after several drinks.
What are the conclusions of the CDOT survey?
As part of a 2016 campaign to curb drunk driving, the CDOT conducted research on the use of smartphone breathalyzers. As part of this research, they surveyed more than 220 Denver youth. The results of this survey were somewhat surprising. Among them were:
- 92% knew the legal limit for driving under the influence of alcohol in Colorado
- Only 47% knew the blood alcohol limit of 0.05 for impaired driving ability (DWAI)
- 79% said there is a possibility that they may have driven exceeding the legal limit
- 92% said they have probably traveled with a driver who was over the legal speed limit
The survey was part of a program that distributed 225 smartphone breathalyzers to randomly selected participants. Researchers followed up with the participants after several weeks of use and discovered:
- 84% agreed that using a smartphone to monitor blood alcohol levels reduced the risk of driving over the legal limit.
- 82% agreed that anyone who drinks should have access to a similar device
- Only 12% believed they might have driven under the influence of drugs during the study, compared to 79% before.
What was the objective of “A Few Beers – Social Experiment”?
Many young people have no idea how little it takes to get someone over the legal limit. That’s why CDOT conducted “A Few Beers – Social Experiment.” This experiment took a small group of young people, aged 21 to 35, on what they thought was a guided tour of a brewery.
During the ride, these people witnessed their driver drinking several beers, yet they continued to get into the van with him behind the wheel. This confirmed the hypothesis that many young people don’t consider “a few beers” enough to impair their driving.
When they learned the true nature of the experiment, many expressed astonishment at how little thought had been given to the driver’s behavior.
What is the magnitude of the drunk driving problem in Colorado?
Drunk driving is a serious problem in Colorado and across the country. Drunk drivers cause approximately one in three traffic fatalities in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) .
In Colorado alone, more than 1,700 people lost their lives in drunk driving accidents between 2003 and 2012.
In 2015 (based on preliminary data), the CDOT reported 6,697 total collisions involving drunk driving. Fortunately, 3,849 of these accidents resulted only in property damage. However, there were 2,712 collisions with injuries and 136 fatal collisions caused by drunk drivers statewide. These collisions resulted in 3,916 injuries and 154 deaths in 2015.
How can you reduce the risk?
The key to avoiding a drunk driving accident is to never drink and drive . You should also never travel with someone who has been drinking .
To ensure you can drive safely, the CDOT recommends investing in a personal smartphone breathalyzer that accurately determines your impairment level before you get behind the wheel.
The CDOT also urges regular drinkers to download the RU-Buzzed breathalyzer calculator app. This app relies on users entering correct information, such as height, weight, and the volume of drink consumed, so it’s not as precise as a breathalyzer. However, it can give you a good estimate of how impaired you may be. This can greatly reduce your risk of being involved in a drunk driving accident.
And what about marijuana use?
With the legalization of marijuana in Colorado, it’s even more important to know your limits.
Mixing marijuana and alcohol and then driving can be especially dangerous. Although the penalties for a DUI are the same regardless of whether you mix these substances, the effects are much stronger.
This means you are likely to be much more impaired and more likely to cause a serious accident. If you drive under the influence of alcohol and cause a fatal or injury-inducing accident, you will face more severe legal penalties , as well as the threat of civil action.
How can the law firm of Dianne Sawaya, LLC help after a drunk driving accident in Colorado?
If you have been injured in a drunk or alcohol-related accident, we can help you hold the at-fault driver accountable for your medical treatment, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. At the Law Offices of Dianne Sawaya, LLC , we understand how difficult it is to recover from this type of experience, both physically and emotionally. We can help you obtain the compensation you deserve.
Call our office today at 303-758-4777 to schedule a free, no-obligation review of your case.