The number of deaths caused by driving under the influence have gone down from 2021, according to the San Diego County's District Attorney’s Office
An updated report from the D.A. Office says that the county is on track to wrap up the year with less DUI fatalities from last year, which was the worst calendar year in the record books regarding DUI-related deaths.
According to the new data, the region has seen 29 DUI fatalities so far this year compared to last year's 39 deaths, and less than 2020's record of 33 fatalities.
Additionally, DUI cases have overall decreased including non-fatal cases — from 6,034 to 5,408 this year.
Deputy District Attorney David Uyar, who works on DUI cases, says that the D.A. Office is highly attentive to this particular crime that continues to take lives every year despite the rise of ride-sharing application alternatives.
“We all know driving under the influence is dangerous. Despite the abundance of alternatives, from designated drivers to ride shares and taxis, too many individuals decide to risk not only their lives, but the lives of everyone around them,” he told local media. “The extreme blood alcohol content and prevalence of mixing alcohol and other drugs is highly alarming. We all use the roads, which means we all could become another statistic in the next fatal crash.”
Just last week, the Sheriff's Department revealed its new Crime Lab, which aims at reducing DUI cases by producing higher quality testing capabilities for drug and alcohol-related crimes.
The department also says that they will begin providing constant, relevant data on quarterly basis related to the issue.
“Ultimately, the Crime Lab’s research will provide rich insight on emerging trends and other factors that could affect impactful campaigns in reducing impaired driving countywide,” the Sheriff's Department said in a news release.
“These numbers are not just statistics,” the department said. “They are mothers, fathers, children, spouses, grandparents, friends, brothers or sisters.”
