Driving while intoxicated not only puts your own life at risk; it also puts others' lives at risk. A recent study by Simmrin Law Group ranked the 10 states with the highest rates of fatalities caused by drunk drivers.

Every day, nearly 40 people die due to drunk driving in America, accounting for 32% of all traffic fatalities.

Drunk driving is an issue commercial fleet managers may face, as their drivers engage in after-hours events or make a toast to a successful week in the breakroom on Friday afternoon before hopping in their work vehicles.

Which States Have the Most Drunk Driving-Related Road Fatalities?

The study's authors gathered data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) latest available data on drunk driving fatalities, drunk driver involvement in fatal crashes, and the percentage of traffic deaths involving alcohol. The data is from 2022.

In 2022, more than 13,500 lives were lost to drunk driving.

The states were given a score based on metrics including drunk drivers involved in fatal crashes per 100,000 licensed drivers (40% of the score), fatalities per 100,000 residents (35%), and the percentage of traffic deaths caused by drivers with a BAC of 0.08 or higher (25%).

Data sources for these numbers include NHTSA, the U.S. Census Bureau, and Statista. Each state received a weighted score out of 100 and was ranked accordingly.

States with the Highest Rates of Drunk Driving-Related Deaths

Southern states are overrepresented in the top 10. South Carolina tops the list, with nearly half of fatal crashes involving alcohol. 

States with the Lowest Rates of Drunk Driving-Related Deaths

Northeastern states consistently rank among the states with the lowest drunk driving-related fatality rates. The authors attribute greater access to public transportation and stricter DUI laws as possible reasons for this.

Curbing Drunk Driving with Technology

In December 2023, NHTSA announced an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR) geared toward laying the groundwork for potential alcohol-impairment detection technology standards in all new passenger vehicles when the technology is mature, according to a news release from the agency.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law directed NHTSA to issue a final rule establishing a Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard that requires new passenger vehicles to have “advanced drunk and impaired driving prevention technology.”

The legislation said that NHTSA should issue a new regulation only if it meets the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act, which states that a proposed standard must be reasonable, practicable, and reduce traffic crashes and associated deaths, among other factors.

Advocacy groups voiced both support and opposition for the proposal. Consumer Reports said the technology has immense potential to make roadways safer, while the Center for Democracy & Technology pointed to potential privacy concerns.