In Focus: Impaired Driving

Impaired driving affects tens of thousands of Americans every year.

Alcohol and other drugs, when used in excess or incorrectly, impair driving by altering the brain’s ability to function. Vision and depth perception become distorted, coordination is slowed, and judgment is negatively affected. Impaired driving not only puts the driver at risk, but also any passengers and others who share the road.

In many cases, the impact of impaired driving on survivors can be similar to the impact of other types of crimes, especially homicide.

During National Impaired Driving Prevention Month (December), see the Impaired Driving Special Feature for information and resources from OJP and other federal agencies on the impact of driving under the influence and what is being done to prevent and address instances of impaired driving.

Learn More in the Special Feature

Publications and Resources

Drug Recognition and Impairment Research Meeting
This report presents the objectives, agenda, presentations, roundtable highlights, and other resources from NIJ’s Drug Recognition and Impairment Research Meeting held in August 2015.

DUI Crashes: Real Crimes, Real Victims
Using funding from OVC, the National Sheriffs’ Association produced this video to addresses the need for law enforcement to respond to and interact with DUI crash victims in a victim-centered way.

Impaired Driving: Get the Facts
This Centers for Disease Control and Prevention page presents data and information on impaired driving and what steps can be taken to prevent associated deaths and injuries.

View More in the Special Feature