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Drunk Driving Accidents

• Kansas City Man Ejected and Killed in Drunk Driving Accident on I-670

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2009 Drunk Driving Statistics

2009 was a good year for drivers. While vehicle miles increased, the lowest numbers of traffic fatalities were recorded in more than fifty years. Last year, 33,808 people died in road accidents. This is a decrease of almost ten percent from 37,423 in 2008.

Alcohol-impaired accidents (accidents in which at least one driver had a BAC of .08 or higher) also decreased by nearly 10% in the United States in 2009. In Missouri, they decreased by 4.5 percent. However, in Kansas, drunk driving fatalities increased by almost 12 percent. The percentage is even greater for young people under age 21.
Nationwide, alcohol-impaired driving accounted for 10,839 deaths or 32 percent of all fatal crashes. Each of these deaths was one death too many.

2009 Alcohol-impaired Driving Fatalities

• U.S.: 10,839 (rate 3.5 deaths per 100,000 population)
• Kansas: 154 (rate 5.5 deaths per 100,000 population)
• Missouri: 300 (rate 5.0 deaths per 100,000 population)

2009 Under Age 21 Alcohol-impaired Driving Fatalities

• U.S.: 1,398 (rate 1.6 deaths per 100,000 population)
• Kansas: 26 (rate 3.4 deaths per 100,000 population)
• Missouri: 41 (rate 2.4 deaths per 100,000 population)

Percent Change In Alcohol-Impaired Driving Fatalities From 2008 to 2009

• U.S.: Decreased by 7.4%
• Kansas: Increased 11.6%
• Missouri: Decreased by 4.5%

Percent Change In Alcohol-Impaired Driving Fatality Rates From 1998 to 2009

• U.S.: Decreased by 23.3%
• Kansas: Decreased by 5.2%
• Missouri: Decreased by 21.0%

Percent Change In Under Age 21 Alcohol-Impaired Driving Fatalities From 2008 to 2009

• U.S.: Decreased by 6.3%
• Kansas: Increased 21.7%
• Missouri: Decreased by 4.7%

Percent Change In Under Age 21 Alcohol-Impaired Driving Fatality Rates From 1998 to 2009

• U.S.: Decreased by 40.02%
• Kansas: Decreased by 4.4%
• Missouri: Decreased by 48.8%

Percent Of 2009 Drivers In Fatal Alcohol-Involved Driving Accidents By BAC Test Result

• BAC .01-.02: 4%
• BAC .03-.04: 4%
• BAC .05-.06: 4%
• BAC .07-.08: 5%
• BAC .09-.10: 6%
• BAC .11-.12: 8%
• BAC .13-.14: 9%
• BAC .15-.16: 9%
• BAC .17-.18: 10%
• BAC .19+: 41%

Seventy percent of alcohol-impaired fatal crashes were caused by hardcore drunk drivers. Three percent of drivers had a prior DWI conviction. Of these drivers, 44% had a BAC greater than .15.

Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities in the United States have been steadily declining. They have declined 49% from 1982 to 2009. When adjusted for population changes, the drop is more dramatic. Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities per 100,000 members of the U.S. population have declined 62% since 1982.

Among drivers under the age of 21, the drop has been even more significant. Alcohol-impaired driving declined 73% for youth under age 21 from 1982 to 2009. When adjusted for population changes, alcohol-impaired driving fatalities per 100,000 Americans under age 21 have declined 77% since 1982. In 1984, all states changed the legal drinking age to 21.

Every Kansas City drunk driving death is a preventable tragedy. If you have lost a loved one to a Kansas City DUI accident, you need an experienced Missouri accident attorney to help you get accountability for your loss and to make sure your rights are protected. Contact the Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys at 888-348-2616 to schedule a free consultation with a Kansas City drunk driving injury attorney.

To learn more about the rights of Kansas City DUI accident victims, download our free book, "10 Essential Steps You Must Take To Protect Your Injury Claim".

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Latest News

• Posted on 4/30/2012Kansas City Man Killed in Fatal Car Accident Caused by Wrong Way Drunk Driver
• Posted on 4/24/2012Man Arrested after Fleeing Hit and Run Accident, Charge with Driving Under the Influence

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Drunk Driving Accidents

• Does the driver's BAC have to be at least 0.08 in order for them to be liable for my injuries from a Kansas City alcohol-related accident?

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