Much of these costs are borne by taxpayers, not the drunk driver. Estimates show that drunk driving costs our nation over $130 billion per year. “From a financial perspective, it’s most important to understand what DUIs cost society. “For a victim like me, you cannot put a price on a lifetime of memories that you will never make with a loved one.”īut there is definitely a monetary cost, Geronemus says. “First, it's most important to think about what DUIs cost families,” she says. Robert Geronemus, a prominent kidney specialist in Fort Lauderdale, was leaving a medical conference dinner in downtown Miami as a pedestrian when he was struck by a car that went through a red light. Heather Geronemus has become an expert on the consequences of drunk driving from the victim’s side. Since many people tend to stay put on Christmas Day, the risk of encountering a drunk driver goes down to a 9% higher risk than average. Labor Day comes in fourth place (54%), and Memorial Day is the fifth most dangerous holiday for drunk driving, with a risk 50% higher than average. Thanksgiving is the third most dangerous holiday, with a risk 56% higher than the trend. Your risk of encountering drunk drivers on the Fourth of July is 78% over the trend. Independence Day is in second place but far off in the distance compared to New Year's Day. And many folks get that full day off, to boot. Unlike other holidays, where the celebrations may occur over a period of days, New Year’s is one night, with drivers making their way back home in the wee hours of New Year's Day. The odds that somebody will be drunk behind the wheel and cause a fatal accident on New Year's Day is 116% higher relative to the seasonal trend and day of the week where it falls. New Year's Day is the deadliest day of the year for drunk driving. The next time someone warns you to be careful when driving home from your New Year's Eve celebration, don't roll your eyes.

Drunk drivers killed statistics