TAKING A TOLL IN DOLLARS ASWELL AS LIVES
While Alisa and Jan have paid the ultimate price, drunk driving also places an enormous financial burden on the United States. According to new research from the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation, drunk driving cost the United States $132 billion in 2009 alone. This includes $61 billion in monetary costs, plus quality-of-life losses valued at $71 billion. The federal government paid $4.5 billion of this bill, while state and local governments paid $3.2 billion. Employers paid $10.7 billion, including $3.7 billion related to crashes involving work trips and $7 billion related to crashes outside of work involving employees and benefit-eligible dependents. As we struggle to find solutions to difficult budget issues, the fight against drunk driving presents a valuable opportunity for saving money as well as lives.
drunk driving cost the United States $132 billion in 2009 alone
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