How does Nevada compare nationally in drunk driving?

How does Nevada compare nationally in drunk driving?
On Behalf of Bradley, Drendel & Jeanney • Mar 17, 2017
While Nevada is largely a rural state, there are plenty of roads. Add in large entertainment centers such as Las Vegas or Reno, and there’s plenty of opportunity for individuals to drive after having had a bit too much alcohol. When this occurs, it puts everyone on the road at risk of serious injury and death. It is well known that alcohol will slow reflexes, impair judgement and increase the chance of motor vehicle accidents if drivers have had too much. But how much does this happen in Nevada?

According to the Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility (using statistics from the National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration,) 96 people were killed in Nevada in 2015 in alcohol-related accidents. Out of all road fatalities in the state that year, those accounted for almost 30 percent, about in line with the national average. Among those fatalities, 7 involved people under 21, for about 16 percent of all fatalities, a bit under the national rate of 23.

The statistics also reveal an interesting fact about drunk driving accidents and fatalities, which is that over 70 percent of fatal drunk driving accidents involve ‘high Blood Alcohol Content’ (BAC) drivers, that is, those with a BAC over .15. This rate goes up to almost 90 percent when it comes to accidents involving repeat Driving Under the Influence (DUI) offenders.

The loss of a loved one in a drunk driving accident will change the life of an entire family. Not only the financial effects, like medical bills or loss of future income, but the emotional toll can be brutal. Those left behind have to deal with the fact that a preventable accident took away someone they loved. Nevadans in this situation may wish to consider whether they should pursue legal compensation from a negligent driver.