Despite tough penalties for drunk driving in Virginia, over 350 people are killed every year in alcohol-related crashes. State officials have tried to stem the rise in drunk driving injuries and fatalities by implementing harsher fines and sending those convicted of driving while intoxicated (DWI) to driver education and alcohol awareness classes.
2008 Virginia DUI Facts
- There was a 6.35 percent decrease in the number of people killed in alcohol related crashes from 2007 to 2008.
- In 2008 354 people were killed in alcohol-related crashes.
- A total of 7,000 people were injured in alcohol-related crashes in 2008
- 4.63 percent of the total number of traffic fatalities were teens aged 15 to 19 that were killed in alcohol-related crashes (38 teens).
- 1.04 percent of those injured in crashes were teens aged 15 to 19 hurt in alcohol-related traffic crashes (717 teens).
- The number of people with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 or more was up 2.04 percent to 25,758 from 2007.
- The average BAC of tested drunk drivers in Virginia in 2008 was 0.1404
- The majority of those convicted of DUI in 2008 were male (79.36 percent)
- A total of 31,469 people were convicted of driving under the influence in 2008.
2007 Virginia DUI Facts
- In 2007 378 people died in alcohol-related crashes in Virginia
- That same year 7,130 people were injured in DWI related crashes
- 2.92 percent of the total traffic fatalities in Virginia were teenagers between the age of 15-19 killed in alcohol-related accidents
- 1.10 percent of the total number of traffic injuries were teens aged 15 to 19 involved in alcohol-related crashes
- In 2007 25,243 people were caught with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08 or greater.
- The average BAC of tested drunk drivers in Virginia was 0.1407
- A total of 28,787 people were convicted of driving under the influence (DUI) in 2007
Historical comparison of Virginia DUI facts
- In the last 10 years, the most people convicted of DUI was in 2006 when 29,595 people were convicted.
- 2002 had the greatest number of alcohol-related crashes of the last 10 years: 11,788.
- 2007 saw the most fatalities (378) of the last 10 years.
- There has been a dramatic reduction in the number of alcohol-related crashes in Virginia since 1982. In 1982 there were 21,157 crashes, compared to 11, 215 in 2007.
To get help after being involved in an alcohol-related crash that involved serious injury, please contact the personal injury attorneys at Tavss Fletcher.
TAVSS FLETCHER
RBC Centura
555 East Main Street, 14th Floor
Norfolk, VA 23510
Telephone: (757) 625-1214
Facsimile: (757) 622-7295