Impaired driving is the most frequently committed violent crime in America. Every 33 minutes, someone in this country dies in an alcohol-related crash.

In the time it takes you to read this information, someone else will die needlessly.

Due to the tireless efforts of many organizations and citizens around the country, alcohol-related traffic deaths have decreased significantly. In the last decade, alcohol-related fatalities dropped from 23,630 in 1988 to 15,786 in 1999, according to NHTSA.

This 33% drop in alcohol-related deaths is generally attributed to: Stronger laws, tougher enforcement and effective public education.

Today, Americans better understand the impaired driving problem, fewer are driving after drinking, and more are getting caught when they do. While alcohol-related fatalities have decreased the past four years (after an increase in 1995), alcohol involvement is still the single greatest factor in motor vehicle deaths and injuries. Only about 5% of all crashes involve the use of alcohol, but 38% of fatal crashes do.

Just one alcohol-related fatality is estimated to cost society $950,000. Each alcohol-related injury averages $20,000. Eventually, we all bear the costs of these deadly actions, through tax-payer supported services and programs, higher insurance costs and even higher prices on goods and services, since employers pick up about half the costs associated with motor vehicle crashes.

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