How Many Deaths From Drunk Driving a Year?
In 2018, there were 10,511 deaths caused by drunk driving, according to NHTSA data. In addition, the FBI estimates that there were more than one million drivers arrested for DUI in the United States alone. That makes up about 28% of all motor vehicle traffic fatalities. Thankfully, this number has decreased significantly since 1991. Between 1991 and 2017, the number of drunk driving deaths per 100,000 people declined by nearly 50 percent. This decline was even greater for drivers who are legally old enough to consume alcohol.
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10 percent
More than ten thousand people are killed in traffic crashes caused by drunk drivers every year. Alcohol-related traffic fatalities account for about 30 percent of all traffic fatalities, but over time, that percentage is decreasing. The statistics vary by state, age, and gender, but the most common victims are young people, motorcyclists, and drivers with prior DUI convictions.
The number of drunk driving deaths in the United States has been on the decline thanks to the efforts of legislators and activists. Increasing acceptance of ride-sharing apps and designated drivers have also decreased the number of fatal crashes. However, driving under the influence remains the second leading cause of car crashes. The FBI estimates that, in 2019, about 19 percent of fatal drivers were intoxicated compared to 22 percent in 2010. The likelihood of being legally drunk when driving varies by age, gender, and time of day.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 10,000 people die every year in traffic crashes caused by drunk drivers. In 2010, nearly 33,000 fatalities were caused by drunk drivers. During the COVID campaign, that percentage increased from 19 to 26 percent. DUI arrests account for about 10 percent of all criminal convictions. The numbers are even more pronounced in states that lead the nation in DUI arrests.
10,000
Despite a downward trend, more than 10,000 people are killed in traffic crashes involving drunk drivers each year. While this figure represents less than 30 percent of all traffic fatalities, the statistics are alarming. Moreover, they vary greatly by gender, age, and location. Most of these deaths involve young drivers, motorcyclists, and drivers with prior DUI convictions.
The holiday season is one of the deadliest times of the year for drunk driving. In the United States, nearly one-third of all alcohol-related crashes happen between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. During these holidays, people often drink more than usual, which makes roads less safe.
While there are laws in place to help prevent drunk driving, it is still not enough to stop the increasing number of traffic fatalities. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2005 alone, over 10,000 people died from drunk driving crashes. And while the laws have saved thousands of lives, some argue that they do not prevent all drunk driving accidents. For every drunk driver arrested, up to 500 to 2,000 more go unpunished. Furthermore, more young drivers are getting behind the wheel, putting them and other drivers in danger.
65 percent
The statistics on drunk driving deaths reveal that men are more likely to die in traffic crashes than women. This is true for male drivers as well as passengers and pedestrians. In the U.S., over 65 percent of traffic fatalities are caused by alcohol. The percentage varies by race, age, and type of vehicle, and also by day of the week. The most common race involved in drunk driving crashes is white, followed by African Americans, Native Americans, and Hispanics.
The rate of deaths from alcohol poisoning has increased across all levels of urbanization since 2006. Deaths from alcohol poisoning are higher among non-metropolitan areas than those located in large metro areas. However, large metropolitan areas have experienced the smallest increases and fewer deaths overall, compared to small and medium-sized metro areas.