According to data from 2014, drunk driving rates in New York and the rest of the U.S. have fallen. The data showed that drunk driving rates had fallen to their lowest level in 13 years. The number of people driving under the influence of drugs has remained relatively stable, although they are lower than when Obama first took office in 2009.
According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health conducted in 2014, 11.1 percent of respondents aged 16 and older admitted to drinking and driving. The survey has been administered every year using the same methods, making it extremely relevant for researchers.
In 2002, 15.3 percent of Americans admitted to driving drunk at least once the previous year. Five percent admitted to driving while under the influence of drugs, and 3.3 percent acknowledged driving under the influence of a combination of drugs and alcohol during the prior year. In 2014, 11.1 percent conceded to drinking and driving at least once in the preceding year. An additional 4.1 percent confessed to driving under the influence of drugs, and 2.4 percent admitted to driving while they were under the influence of a combination of drugs and alcohol at least once.
During the last few decades, enforcement of DUI laws has been stepped up, and there have been a number of public service awareness campaigns that have likely helped the rates decrease. The penalties for drunk driving have also become more severe. People who are facing DUI charges might need help from criminal defense attorneys in order to negotiate reduced sentences or charges. A lawyer may help negotiate a plea agreement for his or her client that helps the client avoid the possibility of incarceration for the charged offense.
