Drunken Driving Costs Many Billions

Drunken driving not only causes thousands of deaths and injuries each year, it also costs society tens of billions of dollars. When you add societal costs, the loss is well over $100 billion.

The National Public Service Research Institute reports that in 1993, the cost of drunken driving on society was $44 billion. This includes wage and productivity loss, medical expenses, emergency services, administrative costs of insurance, police and legal costs, crash damage, and employer costs for injuries to workers.

Add in the loss of life and the quality life, including disability, permanent, partial and temporary pain, and suffering and the cost to society balloons to $134 billion, according to the Institute.

Approximately 20 percent of all auto crash claims costs are attributed to alcohol, while 15 percent are attributed directly to drunken driving.

The insurance industry is fighting back against drunk driving. Tim Hoyt, Nationwide Insurance's associate vice president of safety, says a basic goal of the industry is loss prevention. "In addition to lower casualties, reduction of drunken driving can hold down the cost of auto insurance," Hoyt said.

For years now, many companies have initiated and sponsored safety programs that directly reduce impaired and drunken driving. Many insurers advocate stronger legislation, both nationally and in the states, against drunken driving, working with safety groups, and participating in other programs.

"The entire industry realizes the dangers of drunken driving and its effect on premiums and our consumers," Hoyt said. "We are doing everything we can to root out causes that endanger our lives and drive up our prices."

Posted: Wednesday, February 28, 2001 12:00:00 AM. Modified: Friday, August 05, 2005 2:37:04 PM.

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