Driving under the influence (DUI) continues to be a major factor in road accidents and deaths across the United States each year. 

Statistics from 2022 show 13,524 deaths attributed to drunk driving, accounting for 32% of all road fatalities, according to data analyzed by Zutobi. 

The new data, released in May 2024 through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) crash data tool, the Fatality and Injury Reporting System Tool (FIRST), and NSC injury data, represents an increase from 2021, where 13,386 deaths were attributed to drunk driving, making up 31% of total traffic fatalities.

The number of drunk driving deaths in 2022 is among the highest since 2010 and has returned to levels last seen in 2005.

The increase in alcohol-impaired fatalities is troubling and represents a regression in recent safety progress, especially in the wake of new driver safety technology implementations. By identifying the areas with higher incidents of DUI, the fleet industry can focus its resources and strategies to keep its drivers safe. 

DUI Fatalities: Then Vs. Now

Although there has been an increase in DUI-related fatalities in recent years, there has been an overall decrease from 41% of all road fatalities in 1985 to 32% in 2022. However, the recent surge is revealed when comparing 2022 numbers to the pre-pandemic year of 2019, which shows an increase of 3,382 drunk driving deaths (33.36% increase). 

Despite a slight decrease in overall alcohol consumption in 2022, according to the latest data from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), it has remained elevated in recent years due to lingering post-pandemic and economic factors.

Moreover, regional variations in alcohol consumption trends also played a part. While overall per capita ethanol consumption decreased nationally, the Western U.S. saw a 0.4% increase, which, according to Zutobi, could correlate with regional spikes in DUI incidents.

States Reporting the Most Drunk Driving

Montana earned the highest DUI severity score (81.2 out of 100) in the nation, with a significant portion of the state's road fatalities linked to drunk driving. The state continues to have a high rate of DUI arrests per 100,000 drivers.

Following closely behind were: 

• South Dakota (79.4)

• Wyoming (77.1)

• North Dakota (74.6) 

• Texas (64.9)

• Maine (64.3) 

• Oregon (62.8)

• Wisconsin (60.7)

• Missouri (58.5)

• New Mexico (57.8)

While these states continue to face challenges related to drunk driving, the overall DUI severity scores reflect ongoing efforts to address this critical issue.

States With the Least Drunk Driving

The District of Columbia received the lowest DUI severity score (18.5 out of 100), with a small portion of the District's road fatalities involving an impaired driver.

Other states with low scores include:

• Delaware (27.7) 

• Massachusetts (31.1)

• Alabama (31.5)

• New York (32.9)

• New Jersey (33.2)

• Hawaii (34.6)

• Utah (35.8)

• Pennsylvania (38.1)

• Georgia (38.3)

These states demonstrate a commitment to curbing drunk driving and promoting road safety, maintaining their positions as areas with some of the least drunk driving incidents.

Is There Any Difference Between Men and Women?

Men are over 300% more likely to be involved in a fatal drunk driving accident than women, according to Zutobi.

In 2022, 7,852 impaired male drivers lost their lives in drunk driving crashes in the U.S., whereas only 1,857 impaired female drivers died in similar incidents.

These statistics underscore the critical issue that DUI represents in the United States, painting a sobering picture of how alcohol-impaired driving continues to impact road safety despite advances in driver assistance technology and efforts to reduce such incidents across the nation.