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States with the most drunk driving fatalities


Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock

States with the most drunk driving fatalities

Burning vehicle upside down in the middle of the road after collision.

There were an estimated 42,795 fatalities due to motor vehicle crashes in 2022, down by 0.3% from the year prior, according to early estimates released in April 2023 from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. While a reduction in crash-related deaths, even one as slight as this, is generally positive, the facts remain deeply concerning: Crash-related deaths rose more than 10% in 2021 and more than 7% the year before that, marking a disturbing trend leading into and persisting through the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2021, the most recent full year of traffic-death data available, drunken driving fatalities rose by 14% from 2020. Monge and Associates cited data from NHTSA to identify states with the highest rate of fatalities from car accidents involving at least one drunken driver. States are ranked by drunken driving fatalities per 100,000 residents. This rate is listed up to its first decimal point, but the exact ranking of states was determined from the total rate calculation, which did not result in ties.

A blood-alcohol content of .08 or higher is considered impaired. Judgment and driving abilities continue to worsen as BAC levels increase. Laws adopted between 1982 and 1997 throughout most of the U.S. successfully decreased the proportion of DUI-related motor vehicle fatalities in subsequent years.

Alternative transportation programs have also shown some promise in helping to deter drunken driving. Even in areas lacking robust transit options, recent studies suggest that alternatives such as rideshare services like Uber and Lyft can reduce drunken driving-related collisions.

Keep reading to see what percentage of car crash deaths in your state involved drunken driving.



Kristi Blokhin // Shutterstock

#52. Washington DC

Union Station on Columbus Circle with firetruck and EMS on road.

– Drunken driving fatalities per 100k residents: 1.8 (12, 30% of all car crash fatalities)
– Fatalities involving driver with BAC 0.15 and above: 1.3 per 100K (9, 75% of all drunken driving fatalities)
– Change in drunken driving fatalities from 2012: 300% increase



Andrew F. Kazmierski // Shutterstock

#51. New Jersey

A wide angle view of the New Jersey Turnpike.

– Drunken driving fatalities per 100k residents: 1.9 (178, 25% of all car crash fatalities)
– Fatalities involving driver with BAC 0.15 and above: 1.2 per 100K (114, 64% of all drunken driving fatalities)
– Change in drunken driving fatalities from 2012: 8.5% increase



Adra Keri // Shutterstock

#50. Hawaii

Hawaii road and mountain.

– Drunken driving fatalities per 100k residents: 1.9 (28, 29% of all car crash fatalities)
– Fatalities involving driver with BAC 0.15 and above: 1.0 per 100K (14, 50% of all drunken driving fatalities)
– Change in drunken driving fatalities from 2012: 40.4% decrease



Photo Spirit // Shutterstock

#49. New York

Evening scene of a NYC car crash.

– Drunken driving fatalities per 100k residents: 2.0 (388, 34% of all car crash fatalities)
– Fatalities involving driver with BAC 0.15 and above: 1.3 per 100K (249, 64.2% of all drunken driving fatalities)
– Change in drunken driving fatalities from 2012: 14.1% increase



Tony Dunn // Shutterstock

#48. Massachusetts

Scene of an accident at night with flashing lights from emergency vehicles.

– Drunken driving fatalities per 100k residents: 2.1 (150, 36% of all car crash fatalities)
– Fatalities involving driver with BAC 0.15 and above: 1.4 per 100K (95, 63.3% of all drunken driving fatalities)
– Change in drunken driving fatalities from 2012: 16.3% increase



Big Joe // Shutterstock

#47. Rhode Island

Aerial of a highway in Providence.

– Drunken driving fatalities per 100k residents: 2.2 (24, 39% of all car crash fatalities)
– Fatalities involving driver with BAC 0.15 and above: 1.6 per 100K (18, 75% of all drunken driving fatalities)
– Change in drunken driving fatalities from 2012: 14.3% decrease



Steve Skjold // Shutterstock

#46. Minnesota

Car damaged in an accident on a city street.

– Drunken driving fatalities per 100k residents: 2.3 (130, 27% of all car crash fatalities)
– Fatalities involving driver with BAC 0.15 and above: 1.6 per 100K (90, 69.2% of all drunken driving fatalities)
– Change in drunken driving fatalities from 2012: 14% increase



Bob Pool // Shutterstock

#45. Utah

Interstate Highway 15 in Provo with Mount Timpanogos in background.

– Drunken driving fatalities per 100k residents: 2.4 (79, 24% of all car crash fatalities)
– Fatalities involving driver with BAC 0.15 and above: 1.6 per 100K (52, 65.8% of all drunken driving fatalities)
– Change in drunken driving fatalities from 2012: 146.9% increase



Andriy Blokhin // Shutterstock

#44. Pennsylvania

Car accident on interstate highway road 83 with fire engine truck.

– Drunken driving fatalities per 100k residents: 2.6 (337, 27% of all car crash fatalities)
– Fatalities involving driver with BAC 0.15 and above: 1.7 per 100K (221, 65.6% of all drunken driving fatalities)
– Change in drunken driving fatalities from 2012: 17.2% decrease



O.C Ritz // Shutterstock

#43. Alaska

Wrecked car on the side of the road after collision in Alaska.

– Drunken driving fatalities per 100k residents: 3.0 (22, 33% of all car crash fatalities)
– Fatalities involving driver with BAC 0.15 and above: 1.9 per 100K (14, 63.6% of all drunken driving fatalities)
– Change in drunken driving fatalities from 2012: 46.7% increase



Sean Pavone // Shutterstock

#42. Connecticut

Hartford highway and skyline.

– Drunken driving fatalities per 100k residents: 3.1 (112, 38% of all car crash fatalities)
– Fatalities involving driver with BAC 0.15 and above: 2.0 per 100K (73, 65.2% of all drunken driving fatalities)
– Change in drunken driving fatalities from 2012: 12% increase



Suraju Kehinde // Shutterstock

#41. Maryland

Baltimore City seen from the sky by the highway.

– Drunken driving fatalities per 100k residents: 3.2 (195, 35% of all car crash fatalities)
– Fatalities involving driver with BAC 0.15 and above: 2.0 per 100K (124, 63.6% of all drunken driving fatalities)
– Change in drunken driving fatalities from 2012: 19.6% increase



Real Window Creative // Shutterstock

#40. Michigan

Interstate traffic in Detroit.

– Drunken driving fatalities per 100k residents: 3.2 (325, 29% of all car crash fatalities)
– Fatalities involving driver with BAC 0.15 and above: 2.2 per 100K (219, 67.4% of all drunken driving fatalities)
– Change in drunken driving fatalities from 2012: 24.5% increase



Alizada Studios // Shutterstock

#39. New Hampshire

View along the Kancamagus Highway in the White Mountain National Forest.

– Drunken driving fatalities per 100k residents: 3.2 (45, 38% of all car crash fatalities)
– Fatalities involving driver with BAC 0.15 and above: 2.2 per 100K (31, 68.9% of all drunken driving fatalities)
– Change in drunken driving fatalities from 2012: 40.6% increase



Kristi Blokhin // Shutterstock

#38. Virginia

Traffic on interstate highway I-66 in Virginia.

– Drunken driving fatalities per 100k residents: 3.2 (281, 29% of all car crash fatalities)
– Fatalities involving driver with BAC 0.15 and above: 2.2 per 100K (187, 66.5% of all drunken driving fatalities)
– Change in drunken driving fatalities from 2012: 34.4% increase



Ronald Rampsch // Shutterstock

#37. Maine

Traffic accident at an intersection.

– Drunken driving fatalities per 100k residents: 3.3 (45, 29% of all car crash fatalities)
– Fatalities involving driver with BAC 0.15 and above: 2.5 per 100K (35, 77.8% of all drunken driving fatalities)
– Change in drunken driving fatalities from 2012: 10% decrease



Sandra Foyt // Shutterstock

#36. Nebraska

Interstate 80 highway seen from overlook at Great Platte River Road Archway Monument Museum.

– Drunken driving fatalities per 100k residents: 3.3 (65, 29% of all car crash fatalities)
– Fatalities involving driver with BAC 0.15 and above: 2.2 per 100K (44, 67.7% of all drunken driving fatalities)
– Change in drunken driving fatalities from 2012: 11% decrease



Khairil Azhar Junos // Shutterstock

#35. Delaware

Traffic on Kirkwood Highway towards Newark.

– Drunken driving fatalities per 100k residents: 3.4 (34, 25% of all car crash fatalities)
– Fatalities involving driver with BAC 0.15 and above: 2.1 per 100K (21, 61.8% of all drunken driving fatalities)
– Change in drunken driving fatalities from 2012: 2.9% decrease



DavidCarpio // Shutterstock

#34. Wisconsin

Police car flashing lights close up.

– Drunken driving fatalities per 100k residents: 3.4 (199, 32% of all car crash fatalities)
– Fatalities involving driver with BAC 0.15 and above: 2.1 per 100K (125, 62.8% of all drunken driving fatalities)
– Change in drunken driving fatalities from 2012: 1.5% decrease



Ceri Breeze // Shutterstock

#33. Washington

The damaged rear of a car as a result of an accident.

– Drunken driving fatalities per 100k residents: 3.4 (262, 39% of all car crash fatalities)
– Fatalities involving driver with BAC 0.15 and above: 2.3 per 100K (181, 69.1% of all drunken driving fatalities)
– Change in drunken driving fatalities from 2012: 83.2% increase



Shadowspeeder // Shutterstock

#32. Indiana

Traffic in a mall area in Indiana.

– Drunken driving fatalities per 100k residents: 3.4 (234, 25% of all car crash fatalities)
– Fatalities involving driver with BAC 0.15 and above: 2.2 per 100K (153, 65.4% of all drunken driving fatalities)
– Change in drunken driving fatalities from 2012: 1.7% increase



David A Litman // Shutterstock

#31. California

A wrecked car upside down on top of a parked car.

– Drunken driving fatalities per 100k residents: 3.5 (1,370, 32% of all car crash fatalities)
– Fatalities involving driver with BAC 0.15 and above: 2.2 per 100K (880, 64.2% of all drunken driving fatalities)
– Change in drunken driving fatalities from 2012: 65.3% increase



Christian Ouellet // Shutterstock

#30. Puerto Rico

Vehicles drive on the highway in Sanjuan.

– Drunken driving fatalities per 100k residents: 3.6 (116, 34% of all car crash fatalities)
– Fatalities involving driver with BAC 0.15 and above: 2.2 per 100K (73, 62.9% of all drunken driving fatalities)
– Change in drunken driving fatalities from 2012: 6.5% decrease



SNEHIT PHOTO // Shutterstock

#29. Vermont

Scenic highway 89 in Vermont during autumn.

– Drunken driving fatalities per 100k residents: 3.6 (23, 31% of all car crash fatalities)
– Fatalities involving driver with BAC 0.15 and above: 2.2 per 100K (14, 60.9% of all drunken driving fatalities)
– Change in drunken driving fatalities from 2012: 4.2% decrease



New Visions Media // Shutterstock

#28. Georgia

Car accident on city street in Atlanta.

– Drunken driving fatalities per 100k residents: 3.6 (391, 22% of all car crash fatalities)
– Fatalities involving driver with BAC 0.15 and above: 2.5 per 100K (272, 69.6% of all drunken driving fatalities)
– Change in drunken driving fatalities from 2012: 32.5% increase



Matt Gush // Shutterstock

#27. Illinois

Chicago Police Department officers respond to the scene of an incident.

– Drunken driving fatalities per 100k residents: 3.6 (461, 35% of all car crash fatalities)
– Fatalities involving driver with BAC 0.15 and above: 2.6 per 100K (332, 72% of all drunken driving fatalities)
– Change in drunken driving fatalities from 2012: 43.2% increase



Sean Pavone // Shutterstock

#26. West Virginia

Charleston skyline at twilight.

– Drunken driving fatalities per 100k residents: 3.6 (65, 23% of all car crash fatalities)
– Fatalities involving driver with BAC 0.15 and above: 2.6 per 100K (47, 72.3% of all drunken driving fatalities)
– Change in drunken driving fatalities from 2012: 30.9% decrease



Trevor Bexon // Shutterstock

#25. Nevada

A vehicle crash on the side of the freeway including a black jeep as firefighters assess the damage.

– Drunken driving fatalities per 100k residents: 3.7 (116, 30% of all car crash fatalities)
– Fatalities involving driver with BAC 0.15 and above: 2.5 per 100K (80, 69% of all drunken driving fatalities)
– Change in drunken driving fatalities from 2012: 36.5% increase



A_Lesik // Shutterstock

#24. Iowa

Close up of a broken windshield.

– Drunken driving fatalities per 100k residents: 3.7 (118, 33% of all car crash fatalities)
– Fatalities involving driver with BAC 0.15 and above: 2.4 per 100K (78, 66.1% of all drunken driving fatalities)
– Change in drunken driving fatalities from 2012: 22.9% increase



barteverett // Shutterstock

#23. Kansas

Highway at the state line in western Kansas.

– Drunken driving fatalities per 100k residents: 3.7 (109, 26% of all car crash fatalities)
– Fatalities involving driver with BAC 0.15 and above: 2.6 per 100K (76, 69.7% of all drunken driving fatalities)
– Change in drunken driving fatalities from 2012: 4.8% increase



Paul Gana // Shutterstock

#22. Colorado

Rush hour traffic on I-25 looking toward downtown Denver.

– Drunken driving fatalities per 100k residents: 3.7 (216, 31% of all car crash fatalities)
– Fatalities involving driver with BAC 0.15 and above: 2.7 per 100K (158, 73.1% of all drunken driving fatalities)
– Change in drunken driving fatalities from 2012: 61.2% increase



Wirestock Creators // Shutterstock

#21. Kentucky

A long exposure shot of car headlights at night on the interstate in Louisville.

– Drunken driving fatalities per 100k residents: 4.2 (190, 24% of all car crash fatalities)
– Fatalities involving driver with BAC 0.15 and above: 3.0 per 100K (136, 71.6% of all drunken driving fatalities)
– Change in drunken driving fatalities from 2012: 12.4% increase



Jacob Boomsma // Shutterstock

#20. North Dakota

Aerial view of Grand Forks in autumn.

– Drunken driving fatalities per 100k residents: 4.2 (33, 33% of all car crash fatalities)
– Fatalities involving driver with BAC 0.15 and above: 3.3 per 100K (26, 78.8% of all drunken driving fatalities)
– Change in drunken driving fatalities from 2012: 54.2% decrease



ESB Professional // Shutterstock

#19. North Carolina

Raleigh downtown city skyline.

– Drunken driving fatalities per 100k residents: 4.4 (466, 28% of all car crash fatalities)
– Fatalities involving driver with BAC 0.15 and above: 2.8 per 100K (300, 64.4% of all drunken driving fatalities)
– Change in drunken driving fatalities from 2012: 25.3% increase



steve estvanik // Shutterstock

#18. Idaho

Traffic accident on an icy Idaho mountain highway.

– Drunken driving fatalities per 100k residents: 4.5 (85, 31% of all car crash fatalities)
– Fatalities involving driver with BAC 0.15 and above: 3.4 per 100K (65, 76.5% of all drunken driving fatalities)
– Change in drunken driving fatalities from 2012: 63.5% increase



Kenneth Sponsler // Shutterstock

#17. Ohio

The Ohio Turnpike, Interstate 80, crosses the Cuyahoga Valley south of Cleveland.

– Drunken driving fatalities per 100k residents: 4.5 (531, 39% of all car crash fatalities)
– Fatalities involving driver with BAC 0.15 and above: 3.2 per 100K (373, 70.2% of all drunken driving fatalities)
– Change in drunken driving fatalities from 2012: 36.5% increase



YES Market Media // Shutterstock

#16. Florida

Car accident scene along highway.

– Drunken driving fatalities per 100k residents: 4.7 (1,019, 27% of all car crash fatalities)
– Fatalities involving driver with BAC 0.15 and above: 3.2 per 100K (688, 67.5% of all drunken driving fatalities)
– Change in drunken driving fatalities from 2012: 43.7% increase



Real Window Creative // Shutterstock

#15. Missouri

Cars and trucks on the highways outside of Kansas City.

– Drunken driving fatalities per 100k residents: 4.7 (290, 29% of all car crash fatalities)
– Fatalities involving driver with BAC 0.15 and above: 3.2 per 100K (196, 67.6% of all drunken driving fatalities)
– Change in drunken driving fatalities from 2012: 2.5% increase



Gerson Repreza // Shutterstock

#14. Oklahoma

Downtown Oklahoma City skyline and highway.

– Drunken driving fatalities per 100k residents: 4.8 (192, 25% of all car crash fatalities)
– Fatalities involving driver with BAC 0.15 and above: 3.5 per 100K (139, 72.4% of all drunken driving fatalities)
– Change in drunken driving fatalities from 2012: 8.1% decrease



TFoxFoto // Shutterstock

#13. Oregon

Firefighters extricate victims of a two vehicle t-bone accident.

– Drunken driving fatalities per 100k residents: 5.1 (215, 36% of all car crash fatalities)
– Fatalities involving driver with BAC 0.15 and above: 3.3 per 100K (142, 66% of all drunken driving fatalities)
– Change in drunken driving fatalities from 2012: 144.3% increase



Canva

#12. Tennessee

Aerial view of Downtown Chattanooga and a bridge over the Tennessee River.

– Drunken driving fatalities per 100k residents: 5.1 (355, 27% of all car crash fatalities)
– Fatalities involving driver with BAC 0.15 and above: 3.5 per 100K (247, 69.6% of all drunken driving fatalities)
– Change in drunken driving fatalities from 2012: 24.1% increase



TLF Images // Shutterstock

#11. Mississippi

Two motorcycles passing by the Mississippi State welcome sign.

– Drunken driving fatalities per 100k residents: 5.3 (155, 20% of all car crash fatalities)
– Fatalities involving driver with BAC 0.15 and above: 3.5 per 100K (102, 65.8% of all drunken driving fatalities)
– Change in drunken driving fatalities from 2012: 18.8% decrease



Sean Pavone // Shutterstock

#10. Alabama

Skyline of Birmingham from above Interstate 65.

– Drunken driving fatalities per 100k residents: 5.6 (281, 29% of all car crash fatalities)
– Fatalities involving driver with BAC 0.15 and above: 3.5 per 100K (177, 63% of all drunken driving fatalities)
– Change in drunken driving fatalities from 2012: 17.1% increase



Johnny Coate // Shutterstock

#9. Arizona

A severe car crash with a yellow police tape saying, do not cross, in English and Spanish.

– Drunken driving fatalities per 100k residents: 5.8 (421, 36% of all car crash fatalities)
– Fatalities involving driver with BAC 0.15 and above: 3.8 per 100K (275, 65.3% of all drunken driving fatalities)
– Change in drunken driving fatalities from 2012: 83% increase



Jacob Boomsma // Shutterstock

#8. South Dakota

Aerial view of Sioux Falls at sunset.

– Drunken driving fatalities per 100k residents: 5.8 (52, 35% of all car crash fatalities)
– Fatalities involving driver with BAC 0.15 and above: 4.8 per 100K (43, 82.7% of all drunken driving fatalities)
– Change in drunken driving fatalities from 2012: 18.2% increase



Kristi Blokhin // Shutterstock

#7. Arkansas

Capital city in Arkansas with exit sign and cars in traffic.

– Drunken driving fatalities per 100k residents: 6.1 (185, 27% of all car crash fatalities)
– Fatalities involving driver with BAC 0.15 and above: 3.8 per 100K (116, 62.7% of all drunken driving fatalities)
– Change in drunken driving fatalities from 2012: 28.5% increase



Moab Republic // Shutterstock

#6. Texas

Major traffic accident with multiple cars involved at night.

– Drunken driving fatalities per 100k residents: 6.4 (1,906, 42% of all car crash fatalities)
– Fatalities involving driver with BAC 0.15 and above: 4.4 per 100K (1,301, 68.3% of all drunken driving fatalities)
– Change in drunken driving fatalities from 2012: 47.8% increase



William A. Morgan // Shutterstock

#5. Louisiana

Car crashed into parked car on neighborhood street.

– Drunken driving fatalities per 100k residents: 6.5 (299, 31% of all car crash fatalities)
– Fatalities involving driver with BAC 0.15 and above: 4.4 per 100K (203, 67.9% of all drunken driving fatalities)
– Change in drunken driving fatalities from 2012: 27.2% increase



Jacob Boomsma // Shutterstock

#4. Wyoming

Aerial view of Cheyenne at dusk during winter.

– Drunken driving fatalities per 100k residents: 6.6 (38, 34% of all car crash fatalities)
– Fatalities involving driver with BAC 0.15 and above: 5.0 per 100K (29, 76.3% of all drunken driving fatalities)
– Change in drunken driving fatalities from 2012: 7.3% decrease



Dmitry Kalinovsky // Shutterstock

#3. New Mexico

Car crashed and damaged after accident on a road.

– Drunken driving fatalities per 100k residents: 7.3 (154, 32% of all car crash fatalities)
– Fatalities involving driver with BAC 0.15 and above: 5.2 per 100K (111, 72.1% of all drunken driving fatalities)
– Change in drunken driving fatalities from 2012: 58.8% increase



Chris Perello // Shutterstock

#2. South Carolina

First responders on the scene of a vehicle accident.

– Drunken driving fatalities per 100k residents: 7.7 (401, 33% of all car crash fatalities)
– Fatalities involving driver with BAC 0.15 and above: 5.4 per 100K (282, 70.3% of all drunken driving fatalities)
– Change in drunken driving fatalities from 2012: 15.2% increase



Dmitry Kalinovsky // Shutterstock

#1. Montana

Car crash accident scene on a city street.

– Drunken driving fatalities per 100k residents: 9.4 (104, 44% of all car crash fatalities)
– Fatalities involving driver with BAC 0.15 and above: 6.7 per 100K (74, 71.2% of all drunken driving fatalities)
– Change in drunken driving fatalities from 2012: 16.9% increase

Photo selection by Clarese Moller.

This story originally appeared on Monge and Associates and was produced and
distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio.


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