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Study Ranks States with Worst DUI Problems

Wyoming has the worst drunk driving problem in the country, scoring highest among all states for its DUI arrest rate and DUI fatalities per 100,000 population.

December 4, 2019
Study Ranks States with Worst DUI Problems

There were 3,432 people who were arrested for driving under the influence in Wyoming in 2018, this was the most of any state for that year. 

Photo via Flickr/QuoteInspector.com

2 min to read


Wyoming has the worst drunk driving problem in the country, scoring highest among all states for its DUI arrest rate and DUI fatalities per 100,000 population, according to a new study from Background Checks.

Specifically, in 2018, 3,432 people were arrested for driving under the influence in Wyoming — a DUI arrest rate of 676.10. Moreover, 34 people in Wyoming lost their lives to drunk drivers, representing 30% of all traffic deaths in the state.

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South Dakota ranked second on the worst DUI states list with 5,891 DUI arrests and 45 DUI fatalities, representing 35% of all roadway deaths in 2018.

Other states that ranked among the top five for worst DUI problems include Montana with 3,794 DUI arrests and 70 fatalities, North Dakota (5,136 arrests/29 fatalities), and Mississippi (5,370 arrests/163 fatalities).

In terms of regions of the country, the south proved to be deadliest for drunk driving. In fact, seven of the 12 states with the highest DUI death rates — South Carolina, Mississippi, Alabama, Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, and North Carolina — are Southern states.  

Other noteworthy findings from the study include the fact that Montana has the highest share of alcohol-related traffic deaths — 43% — followed by Texas at 40%.

New Hampshire experienced the greatest percentage increase in DUI fatalities in 2018, posting a considerable 77.80% increase over 2017.  

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Finally, Massachusetts ranks as the state with the drunk driving problem of overall least concern, boasting both the 3rd lowest DUI arrest rate and the 3rd lowest DUI death rate.

Read more about the study here.

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