With a Tennessee spring quickly approaching, warm weather festivities and outings are becoming a regular occurrence. The state’s hot cities on the map create extra perks to the upcoming warmer seasons, causing many to hit the road to adventure. One aspect that is not as thrilling, however, is that of driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Driving after a drink or two may seem tempting, but even buzzed driving can result in a world of personal and legal issues.
Not all buzzed driving results in a ticket or an accident, but this type of influence can certainly increase one’s chances of running into these risks. Ad Council provides an article on buzzed driving and some common misconceptions, sharing in a study that only 49 percent of adults reported using taxi services when feeling buzzed. This statistic is especially concerning since one driver is killed every 51 minutes in an alcohol-related car wreck. And although this percentage dropped in the late 1990s, it has seen an increase in recent years. Ad Council also shared information on their campaign against drunk driving and other resources.
The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration gives another accessible overview of America’s drunk driving problem. According to the NHTSA, deaths and damages caused by drunk driving accidents cost the country over $40 billion per year. When it comes to distinguishing between buzzed driving and drunk driving, the NHTSA shares that a blood alcohol concentration of just .02 percent can skew one’s judgment; a BAC level of .05 percent can alter one’s behavior and cause the loss of muscle control and a lowered alertness. There are fine lines to draw between buzzed driving and drunk driving, but all Tennesseans should understand the potential risks at stake.