Drunk Driving Victims

In 2001, 17,448 people were killed in crashes involving alcohol, representing 41 percent of the 42,116 people killed in all traffic crashes.  In Tennessee, 43% or the 1, 251 2001 Total Traffic
Deaths were alcohol related.*  The families and friends of those killed due to drunk driving go through a wide variety of emotions and often times need assistance in learning their rights and in dealing with the emotions that come with losing a loved one.  Here you will find information and resources related to drunk driving deaths and injuries.

  *Source - National Highway Traffic Safety Administration FARS data

Drunk Driving in the United States  

• Drunk driving is the nation's most frequently committed violent crime. (MADD, 1996)
  
  
• Drunk  driving deaths have reached a plateau.  Preliminary alcohol-related traffic fatality statistics show that 16,652 people died on the roadways in 2001.  (NHTSA, 2002)
  
  
• An estimated 513,000 people are injured in alcohol-related crashes each year, an average of 59 people per hour or approximately one person every minute. (NHTSA, 2002)
  
  
• An estimated three of every ten Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related traffic crash at some time in their lives. (NHTSA, 2000)
  
  
• Americans rank drunk driving as their No. 1 highway safety concern. (Allstate-MADD survey, 1997)
  
  
• Preliminary research for 2000 shows that alcohol-related crashes cost the public an estimated $114.7 billion annually -- this includes an estimated $63.9 billion lost in quality of life due to these crashes.  (Ted Miller, 2002)
  
  
• The societal costs of alcohol-related crashes average 80 cents per drink consumed.  (Ted Miller, 1999)
  
  
• Approximately 1.5 million drivers were arrested in 1999 for driving under the influence of alcohol or narcotics.  This is an arrest rate of one for every 121 licensed drivers in the United States.  (NHTSA, 2000)

   Information provided by - Mothers Against Drunk Driving 

Tennessee DUI Laws

• Revocation of Driver License for 12 months
• Revocation of Driver License for 24 months if crash resulted in bodily injury (Most Aggravated Drunk Driving Law)
• Revocation of Driver License for 5 years if an crash resulted in a death (Most Aggravated Drunk Driving Law)

• On record but not as a DUI
• Results in 8 points on Driver License
• Can only be used against persons with no previous related alcohol offenses (Implied Consent, DUI, Vehicular Assault, Vehicular Homicide or Aggravated Vehicular Homicide)
• Can be applied as a second offense DUI
• $500 mandatory Fine that will be deposited in the "Alcohol and Drug Addiction Treatment Fund"

1st Time DUI Offender - .10 (BAC)

• 48 hours to 11 months, 29 days of Jail

• License revocation of 1 year

• Court ordered participation in alcohol and drug safety DUI school and/or drug offender school program if available

• Payment of restitution if physical injury or personal loss involved and such person is economically capable of making such restitution

Most Aggravated Drunk Driver - .20 or Greater (BAC)

• Minimum period of confinement of person; seven (7) consecutive calendar days in lieu of 48 hours of jail time

2nd Time DUI Offender

• 45 days to 11 months 29 days in Jail
• $600 to $3,500 mandatory fine
• License revocation for two (2) years / NO restricted license available.
• Alcohol & Drug treatment before reinstating license
• Subject to .08 BAC presumption
• Subject to vehicle seizure/forfeiture (created funds for A & D Treatment Program)
• DUI School

3rd Time DUI Offender

• 120 days to 11 months, 29 days in jail
• $1,100 to $10,000 mandatory fine
• License revocation for 3 - 10 years / NO restricted license available
• Subject to .08 BAC presumption
• Subject to vehicle seizure/forfeiture
• Alcohol & drug treatment before reinstating license

4th and Subsequent DUI Offender

• Class E Felony
• 1 Year (365 days) of Jail with a minimum of 150 consecutive days served
• $3,000 to $15,000 mandatory Fine
• Loss of driver license for 5 years /No restricted license available
• Alcohol & drug treatment before reinstating license

Aggravated Vehicular Homicide (while driving intoxicated)

• Class A Felony
• If any of the following conditions are present:
  Two or more prior (a) DUI convictions or Vehicular or (b) Vehicular Assault convictions or (c) any combination
• One prior Vehicular Homicide
• A BAC of .20 or greater at the time of the vehicular homicide and has one (1) prior DUI or Vehicular Assault offense

Source - Tennessee Department of Safety

Resource Center

Mothers Against Drunk Driving offers a variety of  brochures to assist victims with emotional, financial and legal difficulties.

Contact MADD's National Victim Services Department if you need assistance.

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