Martin : Why is it considered alcohol impaired driving if one has a BAC of 0.08, would it really matter for  auto insurance? Why is it considered high risk insurance?

Response : Martin, a lot of questions but relevant ones. Alcohol impaired driving or DUI driving under influence or driving under intoxication is when one has BAC levels of 0.08 and beyond. This figure has not been arrived just from the thin air but based on research, statistics and scientific data all combined. Even if you consider the recent statistics gathered by the NHTSA National Center for Statistic and Analysis than the data for the past ten years bespeaks of the fact that BAC levels of 0.08 or higher have been found in cases of  motor vehicle accidents and fatal losses.

What is more disturbing is the fact that the incident of alcohol impaired driving  at these BAC levels have lead to fatal accidents in children. Below are some statistical data from the NHTSA.

Children

In 2008, a total of 1,347 children age 14 and younger were killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes. Of those 1,347 fatalities, 216 (16%) occurred in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes. Out of those 216 deaths, 99 (46%) were occupants of a vehicle with a driver who had a BAC level of .08 or higher. Another 34 children age 14 and younger who were killed in traffic crashes in 2008 were pedestrians or pedal cyclists who were struck by drivers with a BAC of .08 or higher.

The national rate of alcohol-impaired-driving fatalities in motor vehicle crashes in 2008 was 0.40 per 100 million vehicle miles of travel.

The above would make it very clear to you that this would make the claim ratios very high for the insurance companies and naturally they would than classify this as high risk and charge a premium or DUI car insurance based on the nature of the risk which is obviously very high. The Government and the traffic department would also insist that such DUI offenders should carry a SR22 form and take SR22 car insurance which is given by the specialty insurers, who underwrite these risks.

DUI car insurance or high risk drivers are also served in the market since this is their need and with the keen competition cheap sr22 insurance or affordable DUI car insurance can be obtained.

Thanks.

Mike : Is it true that drunk driving is decreasing and alcohol-imparied driving is on the decline?

Response :  A new roadside survey by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration confirms a continuing decline in the percentage of legally intoxicated drivers and alcohol-imparied driving.

In 1973, 7.5 percent of drivers had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher. In the latest survey, that figure had fallen to 2.2 percent. A BAC of .08 or higher is now above the legal limit in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Previous roadside surveys conducted by NHTSA have measured only alcohol. But the 2007 survey used new screening techniques that detected other substances as well and in the future may help show the extent of drug impairment among drivers.

The survey found 16.3 percent of nighttime weekend drivers were drug positive.

NHTSA is conducting further research to assess how drug traces correspond to driver impairment since some drugs can remain in the body for days or even weeks. Should further research indicate that drugs pose the same type of traffic safety risk as alcohol, NHTSA is committed to applying lessons learned in fighting the drunk driving problem.

Among the findings of the latest roadside survey are these:

• The percentage of male drivers with illegal BAC levels was 42 percent higher than the percentage of alcohol-impaired female drivers.

• Drivers were more likely to be illegally drunk during late nighttime hours (1 a.m. to 3 a.m.) than during daytime or early evening hours.

• Motorcycle riders were more than twice as likely as passenger vehicle drivers to be drunk (5.6 percent compared with 2.3 percent). Pickup truck drivers were the next most likely to have illegal BACs (3.3 percent).

Drunk driving DUI is always been a big issue for insurance companies and also the offenders since the insurance company would increase the auto insurance rates for high risk. However, do not be disheartened for you will find cheap  SR22 car insurance.

Blake : Is it true that drug use is as dangerous as impaired driving ?

Response : Unfortunately this is true and another thing to be kept in mind is that it is considered a criminal offence and hence the claim can be denied on the basis of drug usage by an insurance company.

A new roadside survey by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration confirms a continuing decline in the percentage of legally intoxicated drivers

In 1973, 7.5 percent of drivers had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher. In the latest survey, that figure had fallen to 2.2 percent. A BAC of .08 or higher is now above the legal limit in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

NHTSA is conducting further research to assess how drug traces correspond to driver impairment since some drugs can remain in the body for days or even weeks. Should further research indicate that drugs pose the same type of traffic safety risk as alcohol, NHTSA is committed to applying lessons learned in fighting the drunk driving problem.

Among the findings of the latest roadside survey are these:

• The percentage of male drivers with illegal BAC levels was 42 percent higher than the percentage of alcohol-impaired female drivers.

• Drivers were more likely to be illegally drunk during late nighttime hours (1 a.m. to 3 a.m.) than during daytime or early evening hours.

• Motorcycle riders were more than twice as likely as passenger vehicle drivers to be drunk (5.6 percent compared with 2.3 percent). Pickup truck drivers were the next most likely to have illegal BACs (3.3 percent).

The 2007 survey involved more than 300 roadside locations throughout the U.S.

For DUI insurance you will have to obtain a SR22 car insurance and cheap sr22 car insurance can be found online. Drug usage is a criminal offence which is an exclusion for insurance.

Ruth , San Fransico : What purpose does the ignition interlock law serve?

Drunk driving is a major cause of accidents and loss of life. This leads to high auto insurance rates. According to the National highway traffic safety administration (NHTSA) as per January 2008 – out of 1.5 million impaired drivers who have been arrested o.5 million of them are repeat offenders and do not mend their ways. It has been concluded from the data of 2007, that the drivers you had BAC levels of 0.08 or higher where involved in fatal crashes and had eight times more likely to have some prior conviction fro drinking when compared to the impaired car drivers. This has promoted 47 states now to pass ignition interlock law, which is targeted at repeat offenders. This will go a long way in prevention of accidents. An interlock is fixed in the car which is a device that will lock the ignition and prevent the car from starting if the driver is drunk. Prevention is of Drunk driving is better than the consequences that result from it.

 Have a nice day.

K C Desai.