Hotter Temperatures Are Linked With DUIs

The mainland United States, which was largely recovering Monday from a near-nationwide heat wave, has experienced the warmest 12 months since record-keeping began in 1895, a top government science and weather agency announced Monday.

In the last half of June alone, 170 all-time temperature records were matched or smashed in cities across the lower 48 states. The U.S. State Climate Extremes Committee also is reviewing whether 113-degree temperatures in South Carolina and 112-degree recordings in Georgia qualify as all-time records in those two states.

Extremely unusual weather activity over the last several months includes an outbreak of particularly large wildfires in Colorado, which had its warmest June ever. Most of that state is experiencing extreme to exceptional drought, which is also true in places as far afield as Arizona and Georgia, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor, run out of the University of Nebraska.

State officials are urging residents to take special caution when drinking alcohol in hot weather. Recent studies have established a strong correlation between hot weather conditions and the number of intoxicated drivers on American roads. The results suggest that the number of intoxicated drivers is up to ten times higher in hotter days than during the colder conditions.

Alcohol and Hot Weather—a Dangerous Combination
While a frosty cocktail on a hot day may seem appealing, extreme heat can lead to potentially dangerous situations, especially for people who choose to drink and drive.

Alcohol has a de-hydrating effect and interferes with your body’s ability to regulate its internal temperature.  In the hot weather your body produces sweat in effort to stay cool, but in extreme conditions your body can struggle to regulate your body temperature leading to dangerous risks such as heat stroke, or exhaustion. Symptoms of this occurring include cramps, headaches, and dizziness.

The added influence of alcohol combines with the heat to de-hydrate your body even more and can lead to greater effects from the alcohol with less consumption, which can be a dangerous combination.  Heat intensifies the effects of alcohol causing a situation where people can drink less, but feel more intoxicated than usual.  This can contribute to people driving drunk during hot summer days!

The best precautions to protect yourself during the hot weather include drinking plenty of hydrating fluids including water or sports beverages (avoid liquids with large amounts of sugar) and avoiding driving if you have been drinking in the heat—plan to ride with a designated driver!

Have you had multiple tickets, a DUI, DWI, or other driving offense that caused you to be rated as a high risk driver? Serenity Insurance can help – we offer car insurance in 47 states for both preferred and high risk drivers. Call us toll free today at 1-800-774-0520 or use our car insurance quote form to get started.

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