According to a government study of data from 2004-2006, 15.1 percent of current drivers 18 and older drove under the influence of alcohol in the past year. In Wisconsin, that number hits 26.4 percent. Utah drivers were a bit more cautious, with just 9.5 percent of surveyed adults in the state admitting to such irresponsibility. Add to that the percentage of adults who drove under the influence of illegal drugs – 4.7 percent – and it’s no mystery how so many people are hurt or killed in drunken driving accidents. In fact, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 16,700 people died in alcohol-related accidents in 2004 alone.

Additionally, about 30.5 million people 12 and older were estimated to have driven under the influence of alcohol at least one time in 2006, and 10.2 million people reported driving under the influence of illicit drugs during that time frame. Read the full report.

If you have suffered injuries or loss because of a motor vehicle accident caused one of these individuals that has carelessly chosen to drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs, contact an automobile accident attorney.