Under the Influence, Under Arrest
Michele Anderson, Public Safety Communications Manager, 509.622.5868
Thursday, October 26, 2017 at 11:08 a.m.
The Spokane Police Department wants to remind community members of the dangers of driving while impaired. This means being under the influence of alcohol, marijuana and other illicit or prescription drugs. The statistics of impaired driving are staggering:
- In 2015, 10,265 people died in alcohol-impaired driving crashes, accounting for nearly one-third (29%) of all traffic-related deaths in the United States.
- In 2015, nearly 1.1 million drivers were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or narcotics. That’s one percent of the 111 million self-reported episodes of alcohol-impaired driving among U.S. adults each year.
- Drugs other than alcohol (legal and illegal) are involved in about 16% of motor vehicle crashes.
- Marijuana use is increasing and 13% of nighttime, weekend drivers have marijuana in their system.
- Marijuana users were about 25% more likely to be involved in a crash than drivers with no evidence of marijuana use, however other factors – such as age and gender – may account for the increased crash risk among marijuana users.
If you are under the influence and driving a vehicle, you are not only endangering your own life, but countless other lives. Don’t end up a statistic. If you are impaired, don’t drive—call a sober friend, ride STA or call a car service
Remember, Under the Influence, Under Arrest.
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