Stay Sober NY | Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C.

Fatal Alcohol-Related Collisions Heat Map

Each red dot on the map represents an alcohol-related fatal accident in New York. Consider the fact that each death caused by an impaired driver is preventable and therefore every red dot on this map is a preventable tragedy.

Compiled data taken from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration FARS database from 2011-2016.

Data Source: NHTSA FARS Database / //www-fars.nhtsa.dot.gov/Main/index.aspx

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<span style="display:block; text-align:center; font-weight:bold; padding-bottom:10px; font-size:20px;">#StaySoberNY - Drunk Driving Accidents Heatmap (2011-2016)</span><div id="nydataproject-iframe"><iframe src="//www.dsslaw.com/staysoberny/heatmap/" width="100%" height="600px">Your browser doesn't support iframes. Please click <a href="//www.dsslaw.com/staysoberny/heatmap/" target="_blank">here</a> to view the map.</iframe><div style="font-size:10px; font-style:italic; padding:0; text-align:right;" class="data-source">Data Source: <a href="//www-fars.nhtsa.dot.gov/Main/index.aspx" target="_blank">NHTSA FARS Database / //www-fars.nhtsa.dot.gov/Main/index.aspx</a></div><span style="display:block; text-align:center"><a href="//www.dsslaw.com/staysoberny/" target="_blank">View The #StaySoberNY Open Data Drunk Driving Project on DSSLaw.com</a></span></div>

Data Source: NHTSA FARS Database / //www-fars.nhtsa.dot.gov/Main/index.aspx

Drinking vs Drug Use

Any type of impaired driving is extremely dangerous and can cause an accident. This includes driving while impaired by illegal drugs or by certain prescription medications that may cause drowsiness or other side effects. Impaired drivers involved in fatal collisions in New York are more likely to be impaired by alcohol than drugs, the statistics show. Some drivers are impaired by both alcohol and drugs.

Comparison: Crashes by Age and Gender

Knowing the age and gender of those who are most likely to drink and drive can help in developing an effective prevention strategy. For instance, the data show that men are more likely than women to be in fatal alcohol-related collisions. In fact, they are five times more likely.

In addition, we can glean from the data that men between the ages of 21 and 49 are disproportionately represented. They accounted for 458 of the 740 alcohol-related traffic deaths in New York during the period analyzed. It could be highly effective to craft anti-drunk driving messages to reach men in this age range.

One disturbing fact in the data: There were 61 fatal impaired driving collisions involving male and female drivers between the ages of 15 and 20, or 8 percent of the total. Clearly, young drivers need to be made more aware of the life-changing harm a decision to drink and drive can cause.

Data Source: NHTSA FARS Database / //www-fars.nhtsa.dot.gov/Main/index.aspx

Comparison: Highest Crashes by Day of Week/Time of Day

When we know the days and times when drunk driving accidents occur most frequently, it can help guide our prevention efforts. For example, we can step up law enforcement efforts during those periods.

Here, we see that 62 percent of fatal alcohol-related crashes in New York occurred between Friday and Sunday. The most dangerous hour for alcohol-related fatal accidents was around 2 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.

The data also can help with education efforts. They show an uptick in alcohol-related collisions starting around 8 p.m. Friday and 5 p.m. Saturday when many people go out to socialize and party and enjoy the weekend.

Data Source: NHTSA FARS Database / //www-fars.nhtsa.dot.gov/Main/index.aspx

Comparison: Counties and Crash Numbers

Alcohol-related accidents can occur anywhere. But when we break down the data, we can see the drunk driving is a bigger problem in certain areas of New York than in others.

For example, Long Island’s Suffolk County had 87 alcohol-related crash deaths during the period. That represents more than 10 percent of the total DUI deaths for New York State. Meanwhile, neighboring Nassau County placed second with 38 alcohol related fatalities. Long Island’s two counties accounted for about one out of every seven deadly drunk driving accidents in New York State.

While Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens have larger populations, New York City residents have more public transportation options. They are less reliant on cars and less likely to get behind the wheel while impaired.

Data Source: NHTSA FARS Database / //www-fars.nhtsa.dot.gov/Main/index.aspx

Data Source: NHTSA: Fatality Analysis Reporting System

Resources

Sign the Pledge

We all play a role in preventing drunk driving accidents. Please sign our pledge and – most importantly – honor the pledge to never drink and drive.

Sign the Pledge

Our Mission

The mission to prevent drunk driving accidents in New York is a personal one for Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C. One of our partners Steven Benvenisti was nearly killed by a drunk driver in college. Steven’s dedication to combating drunk driving through his work with MADD and his highly popular program, “The Most Significant Case of My Entire Career,” inspires us every day.

We believe that New York residents will be as motivated as we are if they understand the scope of the impaired driving problem in New York State. To raise greater awareness of this serious public safety issue, we have compiled data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration FARS database from 2011-2016.

After reviewing the information on alcohol-related fatalities, we hope you are moved to sign our pledge below and make a personal decision to do all you can to prevent drunk driving accidents. We encourage you to share this resource as well. We can all do our part!

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NY Open Data Project - #StaySoberNY

Fatal Alcohol-Related Collisions Heat Map

Drinking vs Drug Use

Comparison: Crashes by Age and Gender

Comparison: Highest Crashes by Day of Week/Time of Day

Comparison: Counties and Crash Numbers

Resources

Sign the Pledge

Our Mission