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Neighbor News

Some DMV Drivers Admit to Drunk Driving

The holidays can be a dangerous time on the roads. Office parties and booze-fueled celebrations mean drunk drivers are a common occurrence.

Drivers throughout the DC region have to deal with a ton of challenges. The congested roadways, long commute times, and frequent motorcades mean that getting to work can be a slog. During the holidays, the roads become even less safe.

Office parties and holiday celebrations mean many of the local residents are imbibing in a few more drinks than usual. While there are transit options like Uber that can pick you up on a moment's notice, there is often surge pricing at peak times.

For office workers who commute in by car, they are unlikely to leave their automobile at the office simply because they had an extra glass of wine. Unfortunately, this means drunk driving is a common occurrence.

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A 2014 study revealed that 1.9% of DC residents admitted to driving after drinking in the last 30 days. In Maryland, 1.8% of drivers reported they had imbibed before getting behind the wheel, and in Virginia, that number was 1.4%.

Clearly this isn't a widespread issue -- most people are making good choices when it comes to being safe on the road. But when it comes to safety, there is no amount of alcohol that is safe to consume before operating a vehicle. Also interesting is the fact that while approximately 2% of people admitted to drinking and driving, with this being such a taboo topic, it's likely the actual number is significantly higher.

Find out what's happening in Clarendon-Courthouse-Rosslynfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

The holidays may be over now, but it's still important to practice safe behavior on the roads. If you've been drinking, don't get behind the wheel. It's just not worth it!

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