The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced record-breaking alcohol-related traffic fatality numbers— the highest in 10 years.

In 2006, an estimated 17,602 people died in alcohol-related traffic crashes—an average of one every 30 minutes. These deaths constitute 41 percent of the 42,642 total traffic fatalities. Of these, an estimated 13,470 involved a driver with an illegal BAC (.08 or greater).

About three in every ten Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related crash at some time in their lives.

In 2006, 63 percent of eighth graders and 83 percent of tenth graders reported that alcohol is “very easy” or “fairly easy” to get.

The average age of first alcohol use has generally decreased since 1965, indicating that youth are starting to drink at younger ages. By ages 19 and 20, 70 percent of all drinkers engage in heavy drinking, suggesting that the majority of young people are at great risk of making poor decisions that have significant long-term consequences.

About 91 percent of all drinks consumed by teenagers are consumed by those who drink heavily.

Of the over 159 million alcohol-impaired driving trips estimated that Americans took in last year, over ten percent (18 million trips) were made by 18-20 year olds.

The rate of alcohol involvement in fatal crashes is more than 3 times higher at night than during the day (59 percent vs. 18 percent). For all crashes, the alcohol involvement rate is 5 times higher at night (16 percent vs. 3 percent).

Alcohol-related crashes in the United States cost the public an estimated $114.3 billion each year, including $51.1 billion in monetary costs and an estimated $63.2 billion in quality of life losses. People other than the drinking driver paid $71.6 billion of the alcohol-related crash bill, which is 63 percent of the total cost of these crashes.

Right now, only one arrest is made for every 88 episodes of driving over the legal limit.

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