Drivers Under the Influence of Drugs More Often Than Alcohol, Survey Finds

July 2009

Although a new roadside survey shows that fewer drunk drivers are on the road now than in past decades, it also reveals that there are more individuals driving under a different influence.

In 1973, 7.5 percent of drivers randomly by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) had a BAC above the legal limit of .08, and today that number has fallen to 2.2 percent. However, now that the NHTSA is testing for drugs as well, data showed that almost nine percent of drivers were under the influence of marijuana, four percent had used cocaine, and about four percent had been using prescription drugs.

The survey revealed that men were more likely to be under the influence of alcohol than women, and 1 a.m. to 3 a.m. was the most popular time for anyone to be driving drunk. Motorcycles and pick-up trucks were the vehicles most likely driven by impaired individuals.

The roadside survey tested the breath, salvia, and blood of 300 randomly selected drivers across the country. The survey was voluntary, anonymous, and drivers were given monetary incentives to participate.