The graphic, seen here, starts by listing the 25 cities in order of population. Then, using data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, it reorders the cities in a series of three categories. The first is the number of fatal traffic crashes per 1,000 people, the second is the number of fatal traffic crashes involving intoxication per 1,000 people, and the third covers the percentage of those fatal traffic accidents that involve intoxication. The results, when compared like this, make for some interesting reading.
As the graphic's author notes, New York, while far and away the most populous of U.S. cities, is quite low when it comes to the other three categories. The easy explanation there is that it's tough to get into an accident when everyone is driving at around 3 mph.
A little more surprising, though, were the relatively low numbers for Los Angeles. While less than half the population of New York, common knowledge about the Los Angeles lifestyle would dictate that they probably have twice as many cars. Despite this, however, their numbers of fatalities put them in the lower half of the top 25 cities, whether or not intoxication was involved. We're not sure how they managed that.
More importantly to us, however, are the numbers for Houston. The fourth largest city in the U.S. comes in 6th out of the big 25 when it comes to number of accident fatalities per 1,000 people. Worse than that, Houston jumps to #3 (behind Detroit and Jacksonville) in number of accident fatalities involving intoxication per 1,000 people. Finally, Houston is #2, trailing only Denver, when considering the percentage of traffic fatalities involving intoxication, at 46.8%.
These numbers will probably serve as a call to arms for those in these higher risk areas. We can't imagine Detroit, Jacksonville, Houston, Phoenix and Dallas sitting idly by while they record the most fatal traffic accidents involving intoxication per capita. Nor can we imagine Denver, Houston, Chicago, Phoenix and Dallas taking their top five finish in percentage of fatal crashes involving intoxication in stride. If any cities are going to be cracking down on DWI, it's these.
Drunk driving is a very serious matter, as is an arrest for DWI. For an experienced advocate in DWI cases, please feel free to contact us. Call (713) 489-9773
The Martinez Law Firm
3730 Kirby Drive
Suite 909
Houston, TX 77098
Phone: (713) 489-9773
3730 Kirby Drive
Suite 909
Houston, TX 77098
Phone: (713) 489-9773
