Statistics

Chances are, drunk driving has affected you and/or someone you know. Feel free to take a look at some of the statistics below, compiled from several reputable sources.

According to drunk driving statistics from National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), an estimated 17,419 people died in the year 2002 in alcohol-related traffic crashes, an average of one every 30 minutes.

About three in every ten Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related crash at some time in their lives.

Drunk driving statistics say that in 2001, more than half a million people were injured in crashes where police reported that alcohol was present, an average of one person injured approximately every two minutes.

Alcohol-related fatalities are caused primarily by the consumption of beer (80 percent) followed by liquor/wine at 20 percent.

The highest intoxication rates in fatal crashes in 2001 were recorded for drivers 21-24 years old (33 percent), followed by ages 25-34 (28 percent) and 35-44 (25 percent).

Drunk driving statistics report that alcohol-involved crashes accounted for 10 percent of property-damage-only crash costs, 21 percent of nonfatal injury crashes and 46 percent of fatal injury crash costs.

The intoxication rate (those over .08 BAC) for male drivers involved in fatal crashes was 24 percent, compared with 13 percent for female drivers.

Drunk driving statistics say that for fatal crashes occurring from midnight to three in the morning, 79 percent involved alcohol.

Drunk driving is the nation's most frequently committed violent crime, killing someone every 30 minutes.

In 2001, 32 percent of all fatal crashes during the week were alcohol-related, compared to 54 percent on weekends.

The most hazardous time for alcohol-related crash deaths is 9pm to midnight.

One-third of DUI convictions are not first-time offenders, which shows most individuals do not learn from their faults.

Alcohol Impaired Driving Statistics

Total Fatalities / Fatality Rates

250,000 people have died in alcohol related accidents in the past 10 years.

Presently 25,000 people are killed each year in alcohol related accidents.

500 people are killed each week in alcohol related accidents.

71 people are killed each day in alcohol related accidents.

In 1994, New Hampshire had 119 total highway fatalities, 42 were alcohol related (or 35.3% of the total). New Hampshire leads the nation with one of the lowest percentages of alcohol related fatalities.

Cause of Death

Alcohol related crashes are the leading cause of death for young Americans, between the ages of 16 and 24 years old.

For all Americans between 5 and 35 years of age, motor vehicle accidents are the number one cause of death. Over 50% of these accidents are caused by alcohol impaired drivers.

Recent Alcohol-Involvement

Over 50% of all fatal highway crashes involving two or more cars are alcohol related.

Over 65% of all fatal single car crashes are alcohol related.

Over 36% of all adult pedestrian accidents are alcohol related.

36% of all adult pedestrian accidents involve an intoxicated pedestrian.

Injury Crashes / Collisions

About 2,000 people are hurt each day in alcohol related accidents.

Two million alcohol impaired driving collisions occur each year.

Arrest / Characteristics of Alcohol Impaired Drivers

Of every 200 to 2,000 alcohol impaired drivers on the road, only one is arrested. Therefore, the probability of getting caught is slim. Of those who are caught, very few receive a serious penalty.

The average alcohol impaired driver arrested on the highway has a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .20%, double the level for presumed intoxication in most states; that is 14 drinks of 86% proof liquor (or 14 beers) in 4 hours for a 180 lb. man. Between 7 pm and 3 am on weekends, 10% of all drivers are legally impaired; in some parts of the country. Most Americans drink alcohol. Over 80% admit to driving after drinking.

Relatively few problem drinkers, about 7% of the driving population, account for over 66% of all alcohol related fatal accidents.

When drinkers are at the presumed level of intoxication, the risk of causing an accident is six times greater than for non-drinking drivers.

Youth

Although persons between 16 and 24 years old comprise only 20% of the total licensed population, and 20% of the total vehicle miles traveled in this country by all licensed drivers, they cause 42 percent of all fatal alcohol related crashes.

Economic / Societal Cost

According to a recent Allstate Insurance Company study, alcohol impaired drivers are estimated to cost American taxpayers $21 - $24 billion dollars per year.

National Geographic recently stated that alcohol abuse costs American society $136 billion and 65,000 lives annually.

Miscellaneous

Admittedly, the United States has one of the safest highway systems in the world, due in part to design characteristics, guard rails, highway markings and signs. We have relatively few fatalities per 100-million miles driven. But the portion of our accidents involving alcohol is among the highest in the world.

An accident by an alcohol impaired driver is the most frequently committed violent crime in the United States today. Other alcohol-related statistics show the involvement of alcohol in many non-driving aspects: 40% of all suicide attempts are alcohol-related 54% of all violent crimes are alcohol-related 60% of all emergency room admissions are alcohol-related 80% of all domestic disputes are alcohol-related

Bail amounts range from $1,600 to $5,000 dollars.

Fines range from $390 to $5,000 dollars.

Restitution amounts range from $100 to $10,000 dollars.

Penalty assessments of 70% are attached all court-imposed fines.

Jail time ranges from 48 hours to 1 year for misdemeanors, and 5 days to 5 years for felonies.

Driver’s license restriction/suspension/revocation may be from 6 months to 5 years.

Vehicle impound is the norm, but vehicles may be seized, confiscated and/or sold by the state.

Probation is usual.

Mandatory substance abuse assessment and treatment programs are also part of the process.