The majority of consumers (66%) think men are more likely to get charged with a DUI than a woman, according to AAA’s Consumer Pulse™ survey. While this is accurate, more women in the United States are making the lethal decision to get behind the wheel when intoxicated as shown by the increasing number of DUIs charged to females. In 2010, the number of women who received a DUI increased 36 percent, while the number of men charged decreased by 10 percent, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
The rise in women driving while intoxicated may be due to many influences including a greater social acceptance of women drinking, more venues that cater to women’s only happy hours, and increasing social or work functions that may trigger pressure to drink. While nearly four out of five consumers (79%) think it is more socially acceptable for women to drink now than compared to 20 years ago, 30 percent of consumers do not think women process alcohol differently than men, shows data from AAA’s Consumer Pulse™ survey.
Women can become intoxicated faster than men because women have a higher concentration of body fat (65%) or variations in hormonal levels can cause women to become intoxicated faster (68%). Just one 16-ounce frozen margarita or a few cocktails can easily cause an average-size female who drinks during a two-hour time period to reach the .08 blood alcohol limit quicker than a man. While amounts will vary by person, it’s important to understand it may not take much alcohol to become legally impaired.
“Going over the limit is very easy to do, and many people may not realize how little alcohol it takes to reach the legal limit,” said Joanna Newton, AAA spokeswoman, The Auto Club Group. “Simple planning before you head out for a good time can greatly reduce the chances you will end up behind the wheel of a vehicle when it may not be safe for you to drive. This will help to ensure you, and everyone else on the roadways, makes it home safely to family and friends.”
