Drunk walking

Statistics

US

US department of transportation data from 2009 reported that 4,092 pedestrians were killed and 13.6% of them were under the influence of alcohol, drugs or medication. Pedestrian injury accounts for 11% of all road user fatalities. In the United States in 2006 there were 4,784 fatalities and 61,000 injuries from pedestrian injury. In 2007 there were 4,654 fatalities and 70,000 injuries.

Canada

In Canada, injury is the prominent source of death for those under 45 years of age and the fourth most collective reason of death for all ages. Traumatic pedestrian injury results in nearly 4,000 hospitalisations in Canada yearly. The outcome of these injuries come from the interaction of environmental factors changing.

Australia

In 2011, the Pedestrian Council of Australia launched a campaign called "Never Let a Mate Walk Home Drunk", in an effort to curb the high number of pedestrians killed on Australian roads. 20% of pedestrians killed on Australian roads have a BAC exceeding 0.05%, and 30% of those killed or seriously injured have a BAC over 0.08%.

Between 2003–2006 in Adelaide there were 40 pedestrian fatalities, and of those 12 were found to be drunk. In three or four of these cases it was found that they were either lying or sitting on the ground at night. In Australia, men are the biggest culprits with a study done between 1998–2002 with 38% of fatal incidents to pedestrians happening to males ages 15–54, and out of those 78% were over the legal limit to drive.

Legality

Spain

In 2015 Spanish authorities proposed rules allowing police officers to issue breathalyzer tests to pedestrians involved in accidents. As of 2023, pedestrians who refuse to be tested for alcohol can be fined up to €1,000.

United States

Iowa

Being drunk or pretending to be drunk in a public place is a misdemeanor in the state of Iowa.

References

References

1. (November 2011). "Alcohol use by pedestrians who are struck by motor vehicles: how drinking influences behaviors, medical management, and outcomes". Journal of Trauma.
2. (2009). "safety traffic facts 2009". US Department of Transportation.
3. (2009). "Pedestrian injury and the built environment: An environmental scan of hotspots". BMC Public Health.
4. (2015). "Pedestrian Council of Australia".
5. "The Stats {{!}} MAC".
6. (February 2009). "Accidents to intoxicated pedestrians in South Australia". Centre of automotive safety research.
7. "Male pedestrian fatalities". Australian transport safety bureau.
8. Cohen, Josh. (February 9, 2015). "When drunk walking is outlawed, only outlaws will walk drunk". The Works.
9. King, Chris. (2023-01-29). "Instances where pedestrians in Spain can receive DGT fines of up to €1,000". Euro Weekly News.
10. (2009). "Consumption or intoxication in public places — notifications — chemical tests — exoneration. - Section 123.46". iowa.gov.