Substance impaired driving is defined as driv- ing while impaired by alcohol and/or drugs. It is illegal in every state in the U.S. to drive at a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of .08 or greater. It’s also possible to be impaired with a combination of alcohol and drugs or drugs by themselves. Illicit drugs, as well as some prescription drugs, can cause impairment making it dangerous to drive while taking such drugs. Substance impaired driving is one of the most frequently committed violent crimes in the U.S. Over 10,000 people a year are killed and hundreds of thousands injured each year as a result of substance impaired driving. Due to the size of this problem, countless people know what it is like to be concerned about someone who drives while substance impaired. We hope this information will provide you with some options to help the substance impaired driver stop the behavior you are witnessing. Keep in mind that a strategy that works in one situation may not work in another. Sometimes it is only the court system or the person them- selves who can ultimately make a change. Identifying Addiction An addict is physically and/or psychologically addicted to alcohol and/or drugs. Many people who drive while substance impaired do so as a part of an addiction to alcohol and/or drugs. If you think that someone you know might have an alcohol or drug problem, it is important that you encourage the person to see a doctor or other health care provider right away. They can help determine if a problem exists and help plan the best course of action. Although some people are able to recover from addic- tion, most will need help in doing so.
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