Drunken Driving Statistics in the US
Drunken Driving Statistics in the United States
It is estimated that in the United States, approximately 32 people lose their lives every single day in drunk and drive cases – that is one person in every 45 minutes. Research shows that the cost of alcohol-related crashes accounts for more than $44 billion annually.
All these statistics remain verified up to date despite the fact that various institutions and programs have tried creating an understanding about the dangers of driving under the influence – a 2021 study revealed that 78 percent of Americans were very concerned about the danger of drunk driving, and 69 percent were very concerned about the danger of drug-impaired drivers.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
- About one third of all traffic-related fatalities involve drunk drivers.
- One person in the U.S. will die every 52 minutes from a drunk driving crash – or 28 people every day.
- On average, two out of three people will be involved in a drunk driving crash in their lifetime.
- From 2010-2019, about 10,000 people were killed every year in drunk driving crashes. In 2019, 10,142 people lost their lives to drunk driving crashes – even though driving while intoxicated is illegal in every state.
Standard overview of drunk driving statistics in the United States
- Ten percent of all criminal arrests across the country are for driving under the influence, more than all violent crimes combined.
- Almost twice as many alcohol-related and fatal car crashes occur during the weekend.
- In a recent year, more than 230 children were killed in drunk-driving crashes, the NHTSA reports.
- Drunk driving accidents are statistically most likely to occur during the months of June, July and August.
- Based on NHTSA data, about 68% of alcohol-related fatalities happen at night and 28% happen during the daytime.
- By the end of 2020, 26.8% of drivers that were killed or seriously injured in a crash had alcohol in their bloodstream.
- Drunk driving has a big impact on teenage drivers. In 2019, 24% of young drivers ages 15 to 20 who died in car crashes had blood alcohol concentrations of .01 or higher.
- The rate of alcohol involvement in fatal crashes was 3.4 times higher at night than during the day.
- Most drunk driving crashes do not occur in bad weather conditions. In the year 2018, 89% of alcohol-related fatal crashes occurred under clear/cloudy conditions, 8% under in rainy conditions, and the remaining three percent under other conditions.
- 56% of alcohol-related fatal crashes occurred in urban areas, and 44% in rural areas.
The effects of BAC (Blood Alcohol Concentration)
The following are the effects of alcohol under various levels of BAC on the overall driving capabilities of an individual:
| BAC % | DIRECT EFFECTS | EFFECTS ON DRIVING |
| 0.2 | Loss of Judgment | Decrease in visual functions. |
| 0.5 | Impaired Judgment, Exaggerated behaviour | Overall reduction in coordination. |
| 0.8 | Loss of muscle coordination | Decrease in concentration, impaired perception. |
| 0.10 | Clear deterioration of reaction time and control | Reduced ability to maintain lane position and brake appropriately. |
| 0.15 | Loss of balance, decrease in muscle control | Increased impairment in vehicle control. |
Drunk driving fatalities per year
The following table contains statistics for drunk and driving fatalities spanning from 2016-19:
| Year | Total traffic fatalities | Alcohol-related traffic fatalities | % of fatalities from drink and drive cases |
| 2019 | 36,096 | 10,142 | 28% |
| 2018 | 36,560 | 10,511 | 29% |
| 2017 | 37,473 | 10,908 | 29% |
| 2016 | 37,806 | 10,967 | 29% |
Age related drunk and drive statistics
The following table contains statistics on which age brackets have the highest instances of alcohol-impaired crashes:
| Age Group | % of alcohol-impaired drivers involved in fatal crashes |
| 16 – 20 Years | 15% |
| 21 – 24 Years | 27% |
| 25 – 34 Years | 25% |
| 35 – 44 Years | 21% |
| 45 – 54 Years | 19% |
| 55 – 64 Years | 15% |
| 65 – 74 Years | 10% |
| 75+ Years | 7% |
The consequences of drunk driving
- Drinking and driving is considered a very serious crime. The consequences involve: Misdemeanour, Felony offences, License suspension, Heavy fines, Jail sentence.
- A first-time charge for a drinking and driving case can cost the driver more than $10,000 in overall fines and legal fees.
- A mandatory installation of an IID (Ignition Interlock Device).
- If an individual gets charged with a drink and drive case, he/she may be fired/suspended from their job as a lot of companies have strict rules and regulations that they expect their employees to comply with.
- Drunk and drive convictions always result in higher than average insurance costs.
How to prevent a drink and drive accident
- Ensure that a person who is under the influence of alcohol does not get to drive the vehicle.
- Make sure you wear a seatbelt at all times.
- Always choose a non-drinking designated driver — every time you go out.
- Hail a taxi or car-sharing service for a ride if you have been drinking.
- In case you are drinking, drink responsibly and follow all the required rules and regulations to ensure a mishap does not occur.
