By now, you've probably heard of the new federal study that puts the Midwest at the top of the nation when it comes to drunk driving. You can read the whole report here.
More than 1 in 4 Wisconsin drivers over the age of 18 admit they've driven a vehicle "under the influence of alcohol." Just a hair under 1 in 4 Minnesotans admit the same. We all know people lie in surveys, so the real number is likely higher.
But why? In tonight's Good Question we talk with an expert who suggests a couple theories: access to alcohol (there's a lot of bars in Minnesota and especially Wisconsin), cheapness of booze (our excise tax on liquor is among the lowest in the country), and culture of drinking (it's cold, there's nothing else to do). That, combined with our culture of driving (try getting a taxi cab in downtown Minneapolis or Milwaukee) and lack of public transportation, is a cocktail for drinking and driving.
What do you think? Have you ever driven drunk or buzzed? Are Minnesotans really that much different than Pennsylvanians or Oregonians when it comes to drinking and driving? The comments are open.
