Driving under the influence (DUI) can cause considerable harm, both to the impaired driver and any number of pedestrians, bicyclists, and fellow motorists. According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), there were an estimated 38,680 motor vehicle-related fatalities in 2020. This represents a spike in traffic deaths of approximately 7% as compared to 2019. MADD attributes this rise in traffic fatalities to speeding, failure to wear a seatbelt, and impaired driving.

In today’s article, we examine DUI statistics and laws by state. We wanted to explore which states have the strictest DUI regulations and enforcement, the most significant DUI-related crashes and injuries, and other essential figures. For this study, we draw primarily upon data from 2019, as DUI crash data for all states in 2020 has not yet been made public.

Which States Experience the Most DUI Fatalities?

Using data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), we plotted the percentage of each state’s fatal crashes that involved alcohol and the highest blood alcohol concentration (BAC) between all drivers involved in a crash situation. For example, if there were two crash fatalities in a three-vehicle accident where the highest driver BAC was 0.09, both deaths would be tallied under “# of Fatalities, Highest Driver BAC = 0.08+.”

Notable takeaways:

  • Rhode Island (44%), North Dakota (41%), and New Hampshire (40%) had the highest percentages of alcohol-related crash fatalities
  • In 20 states, 30% or more of crash deaths involved alcohol
  • California, Florida, and Texas (in some order) led all states in the number of crash-related fatalities in all three tracked categories: driver BAC of 0.0, driver BAC 0.08 or higher, and driver BAC of 0.15 or higher
  • The District of Columbia had the least crash-related deaths in 2019, at 26. Vermont (49) and Rhode Island follow (71), despite Rhode Island having the highest percentage of DUI-related lethal accidents
State % of Statewide Fatal Crashes Involved Alcohol # of Fatalities, Highest Driver BAC = 0.0 # of Fatalities, Highest Driver BAC = 0.8+ # of Fatalities, Highest Driver BAC = 0.15+
Alabama 30% 603 277 187
Alaska 28% 41 22 12
Arizona 27% 670 260 176
Arkansas 25% 347 128 89
California 28% 2,473 949 630
Colorado 27% 395 164 121
Connecticut 38% 139 94 61
Delaware 24% 97 31 24
District of Columbia 26% 15 6 5
Florida 25% 2,258 790 529
Georgia 24% 1,066 353 224
Hawaii 38% 62 36 20
Idaho 34% 143 68 51
Illinois 31% 640 314 213
Indiana 26% 576 210 145
Iowa 30% 212 100 67
Kansas 22% 311 91 59
Kentucky 20% 552 150 106
Louisiana 30% 473 220 144
Maine 32% 99 50 36
Maryland 32% 332 167 112
Massachusetts 33% 202 110 78
Michigan 26% 681 261 169
Minnesota 24% 262 86 58
Mississippi 26% 443 170 118
Missouri 27% 598 235 154
Montana 38% 113 66 50
Nebraska 24% 177 58 38
Nevada 30% 191 92 66
New Hampshire 40% 55 40 29
New Jersey 23% 391 129 81
New Mexico 31% 267 129 89
New York 28% 614 262 170
North Carolina 24% 1,002 323 215
North Dakota 41% 52 41 32
Ohio 30% 727 351 232
Oklahoma 24% 457 154 120
Oregon 22% 283 167 118
Pennsylvania 28% 712 298 204
Rhode Island 44% 27 25 19
South Carolina 28% 671 285 197
South Dakota 27% 70 28 18
Tennessee 26% 800 290 201
Texas 37% 2,068 1,332 890
Utah 16% 199 39 26
Vermont 19% 33 9 7
Virginia 28% 548 236 171
Washington 37% 310 172 119
West Virginia 22% 196 56 36
Wisconsin 32% 361 183 126
Wyoming 25% 100 36 30
U.S. Totals N/A 24,114 10,143 6,872

What Are Each State’s DUI Laws?

Every state in the U.S. has its own parameters for determining whether a driver was under the influence and what mandatory punishments are to be assigned for a DUI.

The chart below details the following information for each state:

  • “Zero Tolerance” BAC Level: In all U.S. states and the District of Columbia, drivers under the age of 21 are held to much stricter alcohol consumption limits. It is illegal for people under 21 to purchase and consume alcohol, and most states have corresponding “zero-tolerance” DUI laws. These set the BAC levels for a DUI between 0 – 0.02 for drivers under the legal drinking age.
  • Alcohol Per Se Level: “Per se” laws establish that, at or over the BAC level determined by the state, a driver is considered legally intoxicated. For most states, the “per se” value is 0.08.
  • Enhanced Penalties for High BAC: In some states, drivers who reach or exceed a specific BAC may face stiffer punishments. Typically, this takes the form of a longer sentence or a more serious criminal charge. This may be referred to as an “aggravated DUI” in some states. The corresponding column displays whether a state has enhanced penalties for a high BAC and, if applicable, what that corresponding value is.
State “Zero Tolerance” BAC Level Alcohol Per Se Laws Enhanced Penalties for High BAC?
Alabama 0.02 0.08 0.15
Alaska 0 0.08 No
Arizona 0 0.08 0.15
Arkansas 0.02 0.08 No
California 0.02 0.08 0.15
Colorado 0.02 0.08 0.15
Connecticut 0.02 0.08 No
Delaware 0.02 0.08 0.15
District of Columbia 0 0.08 0.2
Florida 0.02 0.08 0.15
Georgia 0.02 0.08 0.15
Hawaii 0.02 0.08 No
Idaho 0.02 0.08 0.2
Illinois 0 0.08 0.16
Indiana 0.02 0.08 0.15
Iowa 0.02 0.08 0.15
Kansas 0.02 0.08 0.15
Kentucky 0.02 0.08 0.15
Louisiana 0.02 0.08 0.15
Maine 0 0.08 0.15
Maryland 0.02 0.08 0.15
Massachusetts 0.02 0.08 0.2
Michigan 0.02 0.08 0.17
Minnesota 0 0.08 0.16
Mississippi 0.02 0.08 No
Missouri 0.02 0.08 0.15
Montana 0.02 0.08 0.16
Nebraska 0.02 0.08 0.15
Nevada 0.02 0.08 0.18
New Hampshire 0.02 0.08 0.16
New Jersey 0.01 0.08 0.1
New Mexico 0.02 0.08 0.16
New York 0.02 0.08 0.18
North Carolina 0 0.08 0.15
North Dakota 0.02 0.08 0.18
Ohio 0.02 0.08 0.17
Oklahoma 0.02 0.08 0.15
Oregon 0 0.08 0.15
Pennsylvania 0.02 0.08 0.16
Rhode Island 0.02 0.08 0.15
South Carolina 0.02 0.08 0.16
South Dakota 0.02 0.08 0.17
Tennessee 0.02 0.08 0.2
Texas 0.02 0.08 0.15
Utah 0.02 0.05 0.16
Vermont 0.02 0.08 0.16
Virginia 0.02 0.08 0.15
Washington 0.02 0.08 0.15
West Virginia 0.02 0.08 0.15
Wisconsin 0.02 0.08 0.17
Wyoming 0.02 0.08 0.15

Annual DUI Crash Statistics, 2016-2019

There were at least 10,142 annual alcohol-related fatalities from 2016 to 2019. Alcohol-impaired drivers suffered the most recorded fatalities throughout the tracked period. We graphed critical DUI crash statistics below. In our chart, “other victims” include pedestrians, bicyclists, and others that suffered fatal injuries.

Annual DUI Crash Stats, 2016-2019

What to Do if You’re Hit by an Impaired Driver?

All car accidents can be incredibly stressful, regardless of whether you suspect that another driver is under the influence of drugs or alcohol. If you are in a crash where you reasonably believe one or more drivers may be impaired:

  • Check yourself and your passengers for injuries
  • Maneuver your vehicle out of traffic and to a safe place (if possible) or seek a secure location
  • Call the police to report a suspected DUI crash and obtain a copy of their report
  • Collect information, such as photographs of the scene and witness phone numbers
  • Visit a doctor to get treatment for any injuries, even if you do not believe you suffered serious harm
  • Call a personal injury lawyer experienced in your local region’s DUI laws

Additional Sources Cited

https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/sosmap/accident_mortality/accident.htm

https://www.responsibility.org/alcohol-statistics/state-map/issue/enhanced-penalties-for-high-bac/

https://www.scottsdale-duilawyer.com/blog/2022/03/data-analysis-arizona-crashes-driving-under-the-influence/