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Women have pushed for empowerment and social equality and have prevailed, but one area of equality they're getting, they may not want: drunken arrests. According to new statistics, however, the number of arrests of men driving under the influence is declining while the number of arrests of women is starting to rise.

U.S. Department of Justice Crime Statistics

New crime statistics emerging from the U.S. Department of Justice tell an interesting story that has altered history a bit. In the past, the arrests of men driving under the influence significantly outpaced those of women. However, according to the stats, the number of women arrested for DUI increased by 28.8 percent between 1998 and 2007, while the number of men arrested dropped by 7.5 percent in the same time period.

According to a number of experts, the reasons for the shift are diverse, but include an increase in binge drinking among younger women who want to keep up with their male counterparts. Additionally, cultural shifts have taken place that put more women on the road and in greater roles of responsibility.

Women Drinkers Get Drunk Faster

What's even more interesting is that the chairwoman of the emergency medicine department at Yale School of Medicine, Gail D'Onofrio, has noted that women become more impaired from alcohol than men because they have proportionately less water in their bodies than men. Unfortunately, this has been cited as another reason that women drinkers are taking in more DUIs - it's simply easier to get drunk.

Of course, there is no reason to drive if you're under the influence, male or female. Taking responsibility for your actions as a responsible driver means securing auto insurance and always being safe while behind the wheel. If you're not sure whether you're driving ability is impaired, don't take any chances. Call a friend or a cab to avoid a DUI, or worse, an accident.

The most popular type of insurance claims in the nation are for broken car windshields. Debris kicked up by other motorists is a common factor contributing to the damage. Once damage to a windshield occurs, it is illegal to operate a vehicle with that kind of damage for a number of reasons, including reduced visibility. The smallest chip can slowly develop into a large spider-web pattern extending throughout the entire pane of glass. The results are hazardous driving conditions. To ensure your safety, a professional can handle the repair or replacement quickly and easily.

Not Worth the Insurance Claim

Even though making insurance claims regarding windshields is popular, it may not be a wise move. If your comprehensive auto insurance does cover the expense of glass replacement either as part of the policy or as an additional rider, tapping into the resource solely for your window may not be cost effective as filing a claim will guarantee a spike in your insurance premium. If a deductible needs to be met, the out of pocket expenses recouped by the claim will be minimal. Only if your damaged windshield is part of a larger problem (I.E. head on collision repair) should you even consider notifying your insurance provider.

Windshield Repair Costs

Luckily for the average car owner, the cost of a windshield glass replacement is relatively low and ranges from about $150 to just over $300. Windshield repairs (filling a chip or crack) can be extremely affordable and generally under the $90 mark. Luxury vehicles provide the exception to this rule, as some replacement windshields can cost more than $500.

As with all types of insurance, the laws regarding coverage are managed by the state. Although many require that insurance companies do not demand a deductible for windshield replacement (because of the legality of driving around with a broken one), you need to review your car insurance policy to determine what type of protection you have. Paying for the repair or replacement from your emergency savings is probably a better strategy as it won't affect your auto insurance premiums.

If you're planning to join in the festivities for New Year's Eve, not-for-profit CURE Auto Insurance wants to make sure you do so while driving safely. To help you out, here are a few tips to make sure you have the safest holiday possible:

1. See if Your Local Bars Offer Safe Rides Home

If you...

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