Drunk Driving Accident Statistics: What You Need To Know

Every day, approximately 37 people in the United States die in drunk-driving-related car crashes. That’s roughly one person every 39 minutes. And unsurprisingly, young drivers are disproportionately impacted as drivers aged 21 to 34 account for 60% of car accident fatalities that involved a drunk driver, according to the latest data from the CDC.

The stats are raw and real, but can often not be taken seriously, considering that drunk driving remains one of the leading causes of fatal car crashes across the nation.

Understanding drunk driving statistics, the legal consequences that come after the fact, and what you can do if you’ve become a victim are crucial in helping you and those around you become safer drivers.

Get the legal support you deserve when you reach out to the team at Bachus & Schanker today.

Drunk Driving Statistics

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is a national leader in compiling some of the most comprehensive and authoritative data when it comes to driving.

According to the recent data for 2023, drunk driving stats continue to follow a steady trajectory. Here are some of the notable statistics from 2023:

• 12,429 people died in alcohol-impaired crashes.
• These crashes accounted for 30% of all traffic fatalities.
• Among drivers involved in fatal crashes, 22% of males were drunk, compared to 16% of females.
• The rate of alcohol impairment among drivers in fatal crashes was three times higher at night than during the day.

Driving Buzzed? Know The Risks

Drunk driving, buzzed driving, risky driving — the terms might change but the consequences remain the same.

Alcohol consumption reduces brain function, impairs thinking, and impacts reasoning and muscle coordination. The more alcohol an individual consumes, the more impaired they become.

Nationwide, a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 grams per deciliter (g/dL) or higher is considered illegal (except for Utah, where the BAC limit is .05).

Despite this legal limit, even lower level BACs can be enough to cause a crash. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2023, 2,117 people were killed in alcohol-related crashes that involved drivers who had a BAC of .01 to .07 g/dL.

What many call “buzzed driving” is an attempt to minimize the danger or severity that drunk driving brings with it. Despite this, the data is clear — driving with a BAC below the legal limit still brings with it dangers that you should not ignore.

Drunk Driving And The Law

Across the nation, the law is clear. There are defined limits on what your BAC must be under if you’re operating a vehicle and what consequences will follow if you don’t adhere to the law.

The legal consequences of driving drunk vary from state to state but all states regard drunk driving as a serious offense, regardless of whether it’s an offender’s first offense, a repeat offense, or the accident resulted in a wrongful death.

Here are common consequences under the law:

• Arrest and jail time: Most drunk drivers will be arrested on the spot and serve jail time. The mandatory minimum jail time can range from 48 hours to six months, depending on where you were arrested and your previous history. Drivers who have an extremely high BAC will often face felony charges along with multi-year prison sentences.
• Suspended license: Your license will likely be suspended immediately after your arrest. Suspension can last from 30 days to a permanent revocation of your license.
• Criminal record: You’ll be charged with a DUI (driving under the influence) or DWI (driving while intoxicated), depending on where you live. This charge stays on your permanent record, which will impact background checks for years to come.
• Probation and ignition interlock devices: Many offenders will often be placed on probation and may have additional restrictions placed upon them, such as an ignition interlock device that requires you to use a breathalyzer in order to start your vehicle.

Additional consequences include fines, travel restrictions, issues with your employment, if you are required to undergo regular background checks, and of course, social consequences, like strained relationships with friends and loved ones.

According to the American Automobile Association, the average cost of a first-time DUI conviction comes to around $10,000 after all expenses are considered.

I Was Hit By A Drunk Driver. What Do I Do Next?

If you or a loved one has been unfortunately injured by a drunk driver, you have legal rights and options. At Bachus & Schanker, our experienced drunk driving attorneys are ready to support you in the way you need.

Whether it’s helping you identify liable parties, collecting crucial evidence, filing within the stature of limitations, or pushing back against negligent parties who deny liability, our experienced attorneys have helped thousands of drunk driving victims like you recover critical compensation to help them work toward repairing their lives after being hit by a drunk driver.

Get in touch to discover what sets the Bachus & Schanker law firm apart, and schedule a free case consultation with our drunk driving car accident attorneys today to get the legal representation you deserve after a drunk driving accident.

Learn More About The Book Unthinkable, Written By One Of Our Law Firm Founders, Kyle Bachus.