Beware: Texas Ranks in Top 5 for Worst Drunk Driving States
Texas is a great place to live, work, and play, but when it comes to drinking and driving, Texas is one of the worst states in the U.S.
According to a report from Zutobi, titled The U.S. DUI Report, Texas placed 5th in the nation for worst drunk driving state with a DUI Severity Score of 69.8. North Dakota was first followed by Wyoming, Montana, and South Dakota.
The study also notes that 37% of all road fatalities here in Texas are a result of drunk driving. The national average is 28%.
Uber and Lyft services haven't seemed to help either. Leo Waldenback from Zutobi says,
“We have seen this trend since the 1980s and there is no big difference since Uber or Lyft, and I agree that is really surprising. I would have thought that there would’ve been a big difference, especially nowadays with it being so popular.”
The study also finds that the majority of people arrested for DUI are between the ages of 21 to 24 years old. Those numbers start to decrease the older you are. The older the driver, the less likely they are to drink and drive.
As a reminder, it is illegal to operate a motorized vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration, BAC, of 0.08% or higher.
Expect a heavy police presence on the streets of Central Texas this holiday weekend, as New Year's Eve and Day are both big days for traffic accidents in Texas.
Plan ahead and find a designated driver if you plan on celebrating with a couple of drinks. Lyft and Uber are also great options for a safe and happy new year.