Drunk Driving and Drugged Driving

Drunk driving and drugged driving refer to someone operating a motor vehicle when their ability to drive is impaired due to alcohol or drugs. Drunk driving and drugged driving are sometimes called driving under the influence, driving while intoxicated, or impaired driving. Driving while impaired by any substance can be deadly to the driver, their passengers, pedestrians, and others on the road. Drunk driving and drugged driving are illegal in Massachusetts.

Any substance that changes someone’s ability to stay alert, think clearly and calmly, and react quickly may impair their ability to drive safely. Substances that can impair someone’s ability to drive include:

• alcohol
• cannabis (marijuana)
• illegal drugs, like heroin, cocaine, and meth
• some prescribed or over-the-counter medicines, like some allergy medicines

Drunk driving and drugged driving have an enormous impact on road safety in Massachusetts. In 2021, over one-third (34%) of all motor vehicle deaths in Massachusetts involved a drunk driver, which was higher than the national rate of 31%.¹  Of car and truck drivers hospitalized in Massachusetts for crash-related injuries in 2021, over one-third (35%) were identified as being under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the crash.² Drivers hospitalized for crash-related injuries who had used alcohol or drugs were 35% more likely to suffer a traumatic brain injury or spinal cord injury than drivers who had not used alcohol or drugs.³

Motorcycle riders are at higher risk for injury and the risk goes much higher when riding drunk or drugged. Because they are not protected by the vehicle’s body, airbags, or seatbelts, sober riders are about 24 times more likely to die in a crash than a sober occupant in a car or truck.⁴ Riding drunk or drugged is even more dangerous. In 2021, 34% of motorcycle riders killed in a crash in Massachusetts had a blood alcohol concentration over the legal limit, compared to the national average of 29%.⁴ Hospitalized riders who were drunk or drugged were 150% more likely to suffer a traumatic brain injury or spinal cord injury in the crash than those who were not drunk or drugged.

Information for drivers, their families, and friends

Drunk driving and drugged driving are issues we should all understand. Here’s what could happen if you drive drunk or drugged and steps you can take to stay safe.

Drunk driving and drugged driving have serious consequences

Drunk driving and drugged driving can have serious consequences for you, your community, and your future. People who drive drunk or drugged have a higher risk of getting in a crash, and it is more likely that they or another person will be seriously injured or die in the crash.

If you are convicted of drunk driving or drugged driving, you may lose your driver’s license and face other legal consequences.

How to avoid driving drunk or drugged driving

We can all help prevent drunk driving and drugged driving in Massachusetts. When you drive a motor vehicle, you have a responsibility to drive safely—to protect yourself, your passengers, others driving on the road, bicyclists, and pedestrians. You should not drive if you have been drinking alcohol or using drugs or medications that affect your ability to stay alert, think clearly and calmly, and react quickly. Remember: if you feel different, you drive different.

If you’re a driver, you can avoid drunk driving or drugged driving by:

• Planning ahead. If you plan to drink alcohol or use drugs, make plans so that you do not have to drive.
• Getting a ride home. If you have been drinking alcohol or using drugs, get a ride home with a driver who has not been drinking or using drugs, use a rideshare service, or call a taxi.
• Deciding on a trusted designated driver ahead of time. If you are with a group, agree on a trusted designated driver in the group who will not drink alcohol or use drugs.
• Being aware of prescriptions and over-the-counter medicines that affect your ability to drive. Many types of prescription medicines and some over-the-counter medicines can affect your ability to drive safely, either on their own or when combined with alcohol. Avoid driving if you are unsure how a medicine may affect you, if it has side effects that can make it harder to drive, or if your doctor tells you not to drive after using a medicine.

If you’re not the driver, you can help prevent drunk driving or drugged driving by:

• Looking out for your friends and yourself. Don’t let your friends drive while impaired by alcohol or drugs. Help drunk or drugged friends get a ride home with a sober driver or get a rideshare or taxi. Don’t ride with a driver who has been drinking or using drugs.
• Being a safe host. If you’re hosting a party where alcohol or drugs will be available, remind guests to plan ahead. Arrange for other safe transportation or agree on trusted designated drivers who will not drink alcohol or use drugs. Offer alcohol-free beverages, and make sure all guests leave with a driver who has not been drinking alcohol or using drugs.
• Wearing your seat belt. Always wear a seat belt on every trip, whether you’re the driver or a passenger. Wearing a seat belt reduces the risk of dying or being seriously injured in a crash by about half.
• Getting help for trouble with alcohol or drugs. If you or someone you know is having trouble with alcohol or drugs, help is available.

See more data on drunk driving and drugged driving from the DPH Injury Surveillance Program at: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/transportation-injury-data.

See policy recommendations for addressing drunk driving and drugged driving at: Policy recommendations to address drunk driving and drugged driving in Massachusetts

References

1. National Center for Statistics and Analysis. State Alcohol-Impaired-Driving Estimates: 2021 Data. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration; 2023.
2. Data source: Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2021 Inpatient Hospital Discharge Data, Center for Health Information and Analysis. Analysis by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health Injury Surveillance Program.
3. Massachusetts Department of Public Health. October 2021.
4. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Traffic Safety Facts, 2021 Data, Motorcycles. June 2023. DOT HS 813 466.
5. Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Factors contributing to Traumatic Brain and Spinal Cord Injury in Massachusetts Motorcycle Crashes: Massachusetts Crash-Related Injury Surveillance System, 2012 – 2015. October 2021.