OWI-DUI-DWI

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Drunk Driving Information

Cause or Correlation?

I am aware of no scientific data that shows a causal relationship between traffic accidents and alcohol consumption. One's intuition and experience advises that excessive alcohol consumption would increase the risk of accident but that same experience advises that moderate alcohol consumption may actually serve to make one more cautious when driving. For some drivers, moderate alcohol consumption may have a calming effect on an otherwise anxious driver, reducing the risk of accident.

For those who love logic and truth, the following question must be asked. If 93% of all traffic accidents are unrelated to alcohol, how many of the so-called alcohol-related accidents are a result of the same causes and circumstances as the 93% non-alcohol-related accidents? It would stand to reason that drivers who have alcohol in their systems would encounter the same hazards and circumstances as the general driving public. A logical person must conclude that many alcohol-related accidents are not caused by the alcohol but rather the same causes as non-alcohol-related accidents.

On the other hand, it is not possible to prove conclusively that any particular accident is actually caused by alcohol.