The festive season, while symbolizing joy and togetherness, unfortunately, casts a dark shadow in the form of intoxicated drivers. Data from 2020 indicates that around 40% of fatal vehicular incidents during holidays involve a driver impaired by alcohol. Such indiscretions have vast implications: endangering lives, potential imprisonment, loss of driving privileges, and sky-rocketed insurance premiums. Here, we deep dive into the statistics, bringing to light the states with the most pressing concerns around drunk driving.
Top Drunk Driving States
Montana
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- Rate: 100/100
- Leading the nation, Montana’s alarming figures showcase that 8.39 intoxicated drivers partake in fatal accidents for every 100,000 licensed motorists. This state also witnessed the most significant number of traffic deaths (45% in 2020) caused by impaired drivers.
Wyoming
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- Rate: 93.38/100
- With eight intoxicated drivers involved in fatal crashes per 100,000 licensed drivers, Wyoming ranks third in this disheartening statistic. It also reports 6.67 deaths in accidents involving an intoxicated driver per 100,000 residents.
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Texas
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- Rate: 90.13/100
- Texas stands out for the most number of young intoxicated drivers (under 21) in fatal accidents. Furthermore, the state has a staggering 40% of traffic deaths in 2020 attributed to drunk driving.
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North Dakota
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- Rate: 89.05/100
- North Dakota’s data reveals that it has the second-highest DUI arrests. Moreover, 35% of its traffic fatalities in 2020 involved intoxicated drivers.
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South Dakota
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- Rate: 83.03/100
- Leading the country in DUI arrests, South Dakota also reports that over half its drivers have witnessed intoxicated acquaintances leaving holiday gatherings.
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States with the Least Drunk Driving Incidents
District of Columbia
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- Rate: 0/100
- D.C. boasts the lowest figures related to intoxicated driving accidents, fatalities, and arrests.
New Jersey
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- Rate: 5.54/100
- New Jersey matches D.C. in the minimal number of deaths resulting from accidents involving intoxicated drivers.
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Utah
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- Rate: 6.86/100
- In 2020, only one in five traffic fatalities in Utah involved a driver exceeding the legal blood alcohol limit.
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Delaware
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- Rate: 6.98/100
- Delaware registers one of the lowest percentages of fatalities resulting from drunk driving.
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New York
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- Rate: 9.99/100
- New York reports low occurrences of deaths from accidents with drunk drivers, as well as a decreased number of intoxicated drivers in fatal crashes.
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Enhanced Concerns During the Festive Season
The joyous holiday atmosphere is tragically marred by road safety apprehensions. A significant 54% of drivers express concerns about potential accidents during holidays, primarily due to intoxicated individuals departing from festive gatherings. A worrying 38% admit to observing acquaintances driving post heavy drinking during holiday events.
The Financial Implications of a DUI
Drunk driving convictions carry a hefty financial penalty. On average, post-DUI, car insurance rates surge by 76%, translating to an annual increase of $1,302. North Carolina experiences the most drastic insurance rate hikes post-DUI at 319%, followed by states like California, Michigan, and Hawaii.
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