This nonprofit organization was founded in California by Candace Lightner after her 13-year-old daughter was killed by a drunk driver. One example of such an organization is Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD). More often than not, it’s because of the loss of a loved one that organizations are formed to try to increase awareness about drunk driving, pass tougher laws against drunk driving, and try to put a stop to it altogether. As a result, drunk drivers can face vehicular manslaughter or homicide charges. This can not only ruin the life of the one driving drunk, but it also ruins the lives of family members, friends, and relatives of the one whose life was severely injured or so needlessly taken from them. Worse yet, some drunk drivers injure or kill another human being. Besides all of that, they also end up paying thousands of dollars in fines. They can lose their driver’s license for a certain period of time, their auto insurance rates can increase, and they could even spend time in jail. People who are charged with driving under the influence face all kinds of consequences. Another statistic states that drunk driving is the most frequently committed crime in the country. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), car crashes are the leading cause of death for teenagers, 25% of which involve an underage driver who was drinking. In 2011, more than 1.2 million drivers were arrested for driving while drunk or under the influence of drugs. In 2010, four million Americans admitted to driving while under the influence at least once.

Unfortunately, despite tough laws for those driving under the influence, dire consequences drunk drivers have to face, and the tireless efforts of groups against drunk driving, it continues to be a problem in the United States.Īccording to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, three people are killed every two hours in alcohol-related crashes on our highways. This includes passengers in the same vehicle as the drunk driver, other drivers on the road, and pedestrians.

Not only does one endanger their own life when driving while intoxicated, but the lives of others can be endangered as well.

Drunk drivers killed two to four times