Hazardous Intersections for Alcohol-Related Accidents in Sacramento County
The State of California recently shared some numbers showing a big jump in car crashes involving drinking in Sacramento County in 2021 and 2022. Around 925 crashes happened in 2022, and about 975 in 2021 where alcohol was involved. This means almost three crashes happened daily in those years, which is much more than what we saw in the years before.
Examining the Data
Looking at the information gathered by researchers at UC Berkeley from the California Highway Patrol Data, we see more crashes each year than the average of 830 crashes per year in the previous eight years. Also, more people have been dying in these crashes, with about 60 killed each year for the last two years. This is an increase from the earlier average of about 50 deaths per year.
The Sacramento Bee conducted a study in nine places in Sacramento County where more than ten alcohol-related crashes happened from 2013 to 2021. These intersections are all located in regions characterized by relatively high poverty levels and heavy traffic flow. Many of these sites are close to bars or retail outlets that sell alcoholic beverages, indicating a possible correlation.
The study found that most of the crashes related to alcohol at these places occurred between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. The time with the most crashes was between 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. These crashes caused four deaths, including two pedestrians, and injured 157 people. Of these, 16 were severely injured.
Accidents Near Intersections
The accidents listed below happened near intersections, about 300 feet away or closer. Police reports say that alcohol played a part in these crashes. However, this doesn’t cover all accidents where alcohol was involved—about 4% of them are not included due to a lack of precise location from police data. This information comes from the California Highway Patrol, using the Transportation Injury Mapping System (TIMS) from UC Berkeley.
| Intersection | Alcohol-Involved Crashes (2013-2021) | Killed | Severely Injured | Injured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stockton Boulevard & Florin Road | 14 | 0 | 6 | 24 |
| Florin Road & Franklin Boulevard | 14 | 0 | 0 | 22 |
| Fruitridge Road & Franklin Boulevard | 14 | 2 | 1 | 24 |
| Auburn Boulevard & Watt Avenue | 12 | 1 | 3 | 12 |
| Antelope Road and Walerga Road | 12 | 0 | 1 | 19 |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd & 47th Avenue | 11 | 1 | 3 | 15 |
| Stockton Boulevard & 47th Avenue | 11 | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| Madison Avenue & San Juan Avenue | 11 | 0 | 2 | 14 |
| Auburn Boulevard & Greenback Lane | 11 | 0 | 0 | 13 |
Accidents Involving Drunk Drivers
Drunk driving accidents have severe physical, emotional, legal, financial, and social consequences for drivers, passengers, other road users, and the broader community.
Physical harm can range from minor to critical injuries, even death. The psychological aftermath may include disorders like PTSD, anxiety, and depression. Legally, drunk driving carries heavy penalties, including fines, loss of driving rights, and potential jail time.
Financially, these accidents can result in vehicle damage, increased insurance costs, and income loss. DUI convictions often carry a social stigma, affecting relationships and job prospects. Families and communities are also impacted, suffering emotional distress, financial strains, and losses of loved ones.
These wide-ranging impacts underline the importance of always designating a sober driver or using alternative transport after consuming alcohol.
If you or a family member has sustained injuries from an accident involving alcohol, it’s crucial to seek the expertise of a seasoned injury attorney. View the video below for insight into how a lawyer can assist you.
California Personal Injury Attorney
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento Personal Injury Lawyer. Should you or a family member suffer severe injuries in an accident involving a drunk driver, contact our skilled legal team at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 for free, friendly, and compassionate advice. With a distinguished track record of securing fair verdicts and settlements since 1982, our law firm is dedicated to assisting Northern Californians in their time of need.
Photo by Mark Boss on Unsplash
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