Driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs is one of the leading causes of traffic accidents in Mexico and the world. According to NHTSA data, in 2021 in the United States, 31% of all traffic fatalities involved drunk drivers (with BACs of .08 g/dL or higher). In addition, the World Health Organization notes that driving under the influence of alcohol is a key risk factor for 27% of all road injuries. In Mexico, the incidence of alcohol- and drug-related traffic accidents is alarmingly high. According to data from the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI, 2022), about 70% of traffic accidents are related to alcohol consumption.
This irresponsible behavior puts the driver’s life at risk and threatens the safety of all road users, from pedestrians to other drivers. The impact of this phenomenon is manifested in several dimensions.
Impact on health
Alcohol and drugs significantly alter a driver’s cognitive and motor skills, exponentially increasing the risk of hit-and-run crashes and rollovers. For example, a BAC of .02 g/dL can reduce visual function and the ability to perform two tasks at once, a BAC of .05 g/dL decreases coordination and increases reaction times to emergency situations, and a BAC of .08 g/dL and higher severely compromises muscle coordination, perception, memory, and self-control.
Decreased abilities significantly increase the likelihood of traffic crashes that result in fatalities, severe and permanent injuries such as head trauma, complex fractures and life-changing disabilities.
The human cost is immense, with entire families affected by the loss or severe disability of loved ones. In addition, the healthcare system is strained by having to devote significant resources to treating victims, resources that could be used in other critical areas of healthcare.
Economic impact
Road traffic crashes in Mexico not only result in an alarming annual death toll, but also cause a significant number of permanent disabilities and have a profound economic impact. Annually, more than 32,000 people acquire a permanent disability due to these incidents, drastically transforming their lives and those of their families (ANASEVI, 2021).
These disabilities not only carry a huge human and emotional cost, but also affect economic productivity significantly. Economic losses range from direct costs such as medical and funeral expenses to indirect costs such as loss of labor productivity, both due to the absence of the affected persons and the loss of specialized personnel.
Globally, and specifically in low- and middle-income countries, road crashes can cost up to 5% of annual Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This figure includes the costs associated with prolonged medical care, lost income due to the disability or death of economically active persons, and the costs associated with emergency response and long-term medical care (World Road Association (PIARC).
Emergency Medical Care
Immediate medical care for road crash victims in Mexico represents a significant economic burden due to the costs associated with ambulance transport, emergency care, surgeries, prolonged hospitalizations, and rehabilitation. These costs profoundly affect not only the public health system and insurers, but also the victims’ families, who often face unforeseen and devastating expenses.
The cost of emergency medical care for road traffic crashes is a major component of public health spending. For example, ambulance services and emergency medical care are essential to effectively treat victims of road traffic crashes, which comes at a high cost to the health care system (Cambridge University Press & Assessment).
Social impact
Socially, traffic crashes caused by intoxicated drivers erode the fabric of trust and safety that sustains our communities. Families devastated by the loss of loved ones, children and young people deprived of a future, and the constant fear of being the next victim are just some of the consequences. In addition, the perception of insecurity on public roads can deter people from using active and sustainable modes of transport, such as cycling or walking, which are essential for the well-being of the population and urban sustainability.
In addition, road crashes have a direct impact on the poverty and economic well-being of affected households, with a high percentage of disabled victims losing their jobs and facing great difficulty re-entering the labor market. Affected families often experience a significant decrease in income and an increased financial burden due to medical and long-term care costs (Worl Bank).
Judicial and criminal impact
From a judicial perspective, driving under the influence of psychoactive substances is a crime that carries serious legal consequences. Penalties can range from fines and driver’s license suspension to imprisonment, depending on the severity of the incident and whether it resulted in property damage, injury or death of third parties.
Article 93 of the Traffic Regulations on Highways and Bridges of Federal Jurisdiction states that “It is forbidden to drive in a state of psychophysical alteration, or under suspicion of ingestion of alcohol, psychotropic substances, narcotics, including medications with this effect and all those drugs whose use affects your ability to drive. The medical prescription does not exempt the prohibition”.
The regulation warns that drivers may not drive when they have an amount of alcohol in their blood higher than 0.8 grams per liter or alcohol in expired air higher than 0.4 milligrams per liter. Drivers of vehicles used for federal motor transport and private transport are prohibited from driving when they have a blood alcohol content of more than 0.3 grams per liter or alcohol in expired air of more than 0.0 milligrams per liter.
The fine that may be applied for driving while intoxicated or under the influence of any illicit substance is 100 to 200 times the minimum wage. Currently, the minimum wage is 248.93 pesos, so the fine could be from 24,893 pesos to 49,786 pesos. In addition to the fine, the Federal Police officer will place the driver at the disposal of the Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office, and will inform the authority that issued the license about the infraction committed, for the corresponding legal effects.
The fine for driving while intoxicated or under the influence of drugs in the State of Mexico is 20 UMA (2,171.4 according to the value of the UMA of 2024). In Mexico City, the fine for drunk driving is 60 UMA (6,514.20), in addition to other sanctions such as: non-commutable arrest from 20 to 36 hours, six penalty points to the driver’s license and remission of the car to the vehicle deposit.
In the State of Mexico, if the driver is accompanied by someone who can drive the vehicle, this person must drive the vehicle to its destination; otherwise, he/she will be sent to the nearest vehicle impound lot.
Regarding the amount of alcohol allowed, both in the State of Mexico and in the CDMX, the amount of alcohol in blood cannot exceed 0.8 grams per liter and in exhaled air 0.4 milligrams per liter.
Drivers of public passenger transportation vehicles, cargo transportation or transportation of toxic or hazardous substances must not present any amount of alcohol in blood or exhaled air.
These sanctions are intended not only to punish irresponsible behavior, but also to serve as a strong deterrent. However, the effectiveness of these measures depends largely on the ability of the judicial system to prosecute these cases effectively and fairly, challenging impunity and promoting accountability.
Recommendations
Prevention is key to address drunk and drugged driving. Awareness campaigns that highlight the legal, social and, above all, human consequences of these acts (example campaign in Chile here). Road safety education should emphasize individual and collective responsibility in the preservation of lives. The strengthening of legislation and its enforcement are fundamental, but so is the promotion of a culture of prevention and mutual care.
The challenge is great, but not insurmountable. With a comprehensive public policy strategy that includes education, legislation, enforcement and promotion of safe mobility alternatives, Mexico can move toward a future in which roads are safe for all. This is a call to action for everyone: authorities, civil society, the private sector and each individual. Only in this way will we be able to transform our streets into spaces of coexistence and safety, not tragedy.
Road safety is all of us.
