Drunk Drivers Killed More Than Guns: How Research Changed the Game

The staggering statistics are hard to ignore - drunk drivers killed more people than guns did in (drunk drivers killed more than guns). It's a disturbing reality that has led to a relentless pursuit of solutions. In the 1980s, a team of researchers, including myself, began exploring violence as a public health problem. Our mission was clear: to identify effective policies that could reduce injuries and deaths caused by car crashes.

Our research led us to a breakthrough - redesigning cars and roads to get drunk drivers off the road. In 1970, Congress dedicated $200 million annually to researching car crash prevention. This funding enabled us to establish the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta in 1992.

Fast-forward to today, and the numbers are still alarming. Gun-related deaths have climbed, with 45,000 fatalities reported in a single year. Guns have become the leading cause of death among children under 19 years old. In 2020, firearm-related homicides increased by a shocking 35 percent.

The debate around gun control has become increasingly polarized, with some advocating for stricter regulations and others opposing any changes. However, our research shows that it's not an 'either-or' situation - we can have both gun rights and gun safety. It's time to break the stalemate and acknowledge that a multifaceted approach is necessary.

In contrast to the stagnant progress on gun control, research has led to significant advances in preventing drunk driving fatalities. By understanding which policies work best, we've been able to create safer roads and reduce the number of deaths caused by drunk drivers.

It's time to apply this same dedication to research and problem-solving to the issue of gun violence. We owe it to ourselves, our families, and our communities to find a solution that balances individual rights with public safety. The numbers are too high, and the suffering is too real - we must act now to change the game on drunk drivers killed more than guns.

Drunk drivers killed more than guns