Introduction
The issue of driving while under the influence of alcohol or other substances is a crucial concern for public safety that affects all segments of the population in the United States. This practice has been linked to a high mortality rate and severe consequences. To reduce the incidence of impaired driving and its associated fatalities, it is imperative to implement more stringent policies that regulate the consequences of driving under the influence. Such measures may include reducing allowable substance concentration limits, establishing stricter laws that govern crime, and heightened surveillance of road activity. While education and training programs and technological advancements like ignition interlock systems may serve as supplementary measures, the enhancement of existing policies and laws remains the most effective approach to tackle the issue of driving under the influence and the attendant mortality rate in the United States.
Problem Background and Statistics
In the United States, impaired driving is one of the prevalent causes of mortality on roads, and this problem requires an effective solution. In 2018, in the United States, there were more than 10,500 traffic deaths related to impaired driving, with a new fatality caused by driving after consuming alcohol or drugs occurring every 50 minutes (Gill et al., 2020). Additionally, nearly a third of all accidents that year were the result of alcohol consumption.
Furthermore, according to police reports, alcohol and drugs were present in most drivers who died in car accidents (Ogundare, 2020). The consequences of drunk driving have a profound impact not only on the life of the driver but also on the lives of passengers, other road users, and their families and communities. Injuries resulting from alcohol or drug-related accidents are often severe and can lead to long-term disability. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s report, the cost of alcohol and drug-related accidents is around $44 billion annually, including medical expenses, loss of working capacity, property damage, and other associated costs (Gill et al., 2020). Overall, this aspect effectively underlines the humanitarian and economic importance of the problem, accentuating the need for its solution.
Possible Solutions
It is possible to consider the three main approaches to address the issue of impaired driving and related mortality. First, the focus should be on future and current drivers’ education and training. This approach includes educational programs and awareness-raising campaigns on the consequences of drunk driving for individuals of different ages.
Second, it is essential to refer to technological innovations, such as ignition interlock systems that can identify and control the alcohol level in a driver’s blood (Gill et al., 2020; Hosseinichimeh et al., 2022). Third, it is necessary to emphasize enhancing laws and penalties for individuals who drive while intoxicated. Increasing fines and penalties, including forfeiture of rights, can be discussed as an effective deterrent (Ogundare, 2020). Still, these potential solutions can have different effects on addressing the problem in terms of efficacy.
Evaluation of Solutions
Evaluating offered solutions allows for determining the most effective one to overcome the problem. The focus on drivers’ specific education and training can have a long-term impact because it aims to change people’s attitudes to the problem. However, the effects of the change may be delayed and require additional effort (Gill et al., 2020).
Using devices that can provide direct and immediate control over a driver’s condition, preventing the possibility of drunk driving, is also an interesting decision. Nevertheless, ignition interlock systems can determine only alcohol, and they cannot be used to prevent impaired driving associated with using drugs (Ogundare, 2020). These two solutions can be used as additional measures to resolve the problem in the country.
In this context, developing and implementing new, effective policies oriented toward strengthening legislation and punishment for drunk drivers can be discussed as the most efficient solution. The reason is that improved policies can target different types of drunk drivers and immediately affect the situation on roads (Hosseinichimeh et al., 2022). Even though those individuals who are already addicted to alcohol or other substances may not be afraid of such measures, other people can react positively to the measures, avoiding substance consumption and driving.
It is essential to decrease drivers’ allowed substance concentration limits and offer strict laws regulating crime (Gill et al., 2020; Ogundare, 2020). The control over the situation on roads should also be increased. It is crucial to guarantee that drivers understand the negative risks of impaired driving for themselves and their community.
Conclusion
It is possible to conclude that the problem of drunk driving remains one of the most serious threats to public safety in the United States. Despite existing legislative measures and programs, the statistics remained alarming. While considering the analysis of various solutions, the most promising approach seems to be the improvement of existing policies and laws and the implementation of new ones. One should state that legislative measures may provide a reliable tool for addressing the problem of impaired driving and lead to preventing driving-associated mortality in the United States.
References
Gill, S., Sutherland, M., McKenney, M., & Elkbuli, A. (2020). US alcohol associated traffic injuries and fatalities from 2014 to 2018. The American Journal of Emergency Medicine, 38(12), 2646-2649. Web.
Hosseinichimeh, N., Williams, R., MacDonald, R., Li, K., & Vaca, F. E. (2022). What determines the success of states in reducing alcohol related crash fatalities? A longitudinal analysis of alcohol related crashes in the US from 1985 to 2019. Accident Analysis & Prevention, 174, 106730. Web.
Ogundare, T. (2020). Reducing alcohol-impaired driving deaths in America: A policy recommendation. International Public Health Journal, 12(2), 121-128.