Drunk Driving

Drunk driving statistics in the US have become quite an issue of concern. This is especially because of the fatalities that have been occasioned as a result of alcohol-related fatalities. This paper makes a comparison of the two states, Wisconsin and Texas which have the highest and lowest number of Driving under the Influence (DUI) fatalities respectively. This paper will also make sampling of the results that are present, which will be presented in tables. Finally, a Chi analysis of the paper will be used in this.

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Some of the most staggering figures in the US history concerning drunk driving have been seen in Texas, with over 2500 crashes recorded in the year 2011, and with over 3000 fatalities. This is quite the disturbing figures and a cause of concern for many in Texas, especially to the extent of having very strict laws in a bid to ensure both the lives of the drivers are taken care of. The case of Texas is a special one because the laws in place put very strict penalties for instances of driving under the influence in order to reduce causalities arising from this phenomenon. In Texas, there will be repercussions for anyone driving with a blood alcohol content of over 0.08% (Drive Safely, 2012). Consider the state of Texas on alcohol-related fatalities using this representation:

Fig: Texas DUI-related fatalities (Emslie & Mitchell, 2009).

The law is so stringent on the provisions because it is necessary for the person to have their full mental ability as well as their physical faculties in order to operate a vehicle, both of which may be impaired by the excess consumption of alcohol. In addition to the worrying statistics, it is necessary to ensure that the laws are strictly engaged in order to provide better societal protections against further casualties. The inability to reason and think in a clear and linear fashion is one effect of having the driver driving under the influence. It thus becomes necessary that this state of mind is avoided during this instance. Unfortunately, this happens to be the case in most instances occasioning the loss of life to many people and the high number of crashes. Some of the repercussions that one is likely to face with driving under the influence or driving while intoxicated can reach up to 72 hours confinement in jail or $500 or both. In the case of minors, there are some other programs that should be taken including alcohol awareness classes and community services, as well as a suspension of one's license.

Wisconsin, on the other hand, has had one of the highest convictions in drunk driving and driving under intoxication or DUIs in recent history. This has led to a figure that came to under 500 for the first time since 1943, one of the best achievements of the state. As such, the state has noticed the need to engage citizens in the appropriate campaigns for zeroing in on casualties occasioned by drunk driving among other hazards that have affected the people of Wisconsin. The state has applied appropriate methods of getting the figure to where it is now (at 498 causalities as of 2014) including public awareness programs and road safety campaigns on the needs to wear safety belts, ensure adherence to speed limits among other preventive factors. Innovative campaigns such as the "Daredevils Dare Not" among others have taken center-stage on media outlets, sponsored by the state government in a bid to reduce these occurrences to another possible record low in the coming years (Wisconsin Department of Transportation, 2015).

The following table shows the statistics of the number of accidents occasioned in the Texan state in comparison with Wisconsin. The minimums in this case reflect the Wisconsin state while the maximum values represent the state of Texas. This is because of the respective minimum and maximum values of alcohol-related accidents and fatalities that have occurred as a result of this.

Alcohol-related fatalitiesSummary statistics:

Column n Mean Variance Std. Dev. Median Range Min Max Q1 Q3

Alcohol-related fatalities 50 316.3 104193.89 322.79077 239 1521 23 1544 102 451

Total of accident fatalities

Summary statistics:

Column n Mean Variance Std. Dev. Median Range Min Max Q1 Q3

Total Fatalities 50 849.9 732332 855.764 640.5 4156 73 4229 267 1087

In a sample study, the figures representation of the information, we find that the Chi representation will give us some of the values such as the mean. In this case, the alcohol-related fatalities in drunk driving account for an average of 37% of the deaths in this particular area. Depending on the standard of measurement used to conduct the difference, we interpret the information to see that the difference between Texas and Wisconsin is quite huge. A scatter graph could be used to compare this information:

Fig: scatter-graph showing correlation fatality ratio and population in Texas (Denise, 2012).

This is thus an area requiring much consideration by the Texan government. There is need to identify social influences that may lead to negative tendencies among Texans in a bid to formulate more sociable methods of dealing with alcohol-related accidents and issues. As the tables show, there is a lot of room for improvement in the Texan state, as there is ambition in Wisconsin.

References

BIBLIOGRAPHY Denise, S. (2012). Wet & Dry Counties in Texas, Tennessee and Kentucky. Retrieved from OU GIS Applications: ougisapplications.wordpress.com/2012/12/11/wet-dry-counties-in-texas-tennessee-and-kentucky/

Drive Safely. (2012). Drunk Driving Statistics in Texas. Retrieved from Drive Safely: https://www.idrivesafely.com/dmv/texas/safety/drunk-driving-statistics/

Emslie, C., & Mitchell, R. (2009). Are there gender differences in the geography of alcohol-related mortality in Scotland? an ecological study. BMC Public Health.

Wisconsin Department of Transportation. (2015). Zero in Wisconsin. Retrieved from Wisconsin Department of Transportation: http://www.zeroinwisconsin.gov/