- Percentage of Fatalities Caused by Drunk Drivers: 32.84%
- DUI Arrest Rate: 553.76
Alaska doesn’t have the very worst percentage of DUI-related fatalities, but its arrest record definitely raises alarms. If Alaska wants to get out of the top 25 worst DUI states, it might want to make more of an effort to educate its drivers.
- Percentage of Fatalities Caused by Drunk Drivers: 39.22%
- DUI Arrest Rate: 139.10
Ohio displays among the worst percentages of fatalities caused by DUIs in the country at over 39%. It’s arrest rate, however, teeters on the low side, showing that not much is being done about people drinking and getting behind the wheel.
- Percentage of Fatalities Caused by Drunk Drivers: 23.57%
- DUI Arrest Rate: 442.21
Kentucky boasts one of the lowest percentages of drunk driving fatalities in the country, but that doesn’t mean its driving is getting out of trouble. The state has a DUI arrest rate of around 442 for every 100,000 drivers, which is pretty bad.
- Percentage of Fatalities Caused by Drunk Drivers: 30.13%
- DUI Arrest Rate: 502.90
It’s really no surprise to see the home of Sin City here, but at least the state is doing something to prevent accidents. Nevada’s moderate 30.13% shows the prevalence of drunk driving fatalities and its 502.90 DUI arrest rate shows the work being done by authorities.
- Percentage of Fatalities Caused by Drunk Drivers: 31.26%
- DUI Arrest Rate: 397.24
Colorado leaves much to be desired with both its percentage of fatalities caused by drinking and getting behind the wheel. And with nearly, 400 arrests for every DUI, authorities seem to be working to prevent fatalities, but prevention is ultimately the most effective measure.
- Percentage of Fatalities Caused by Drunk Drivers: 37.58%
- DUI Arrest Rate: 250.22
Connecticut comes in as the 20th worst state for drunk driving, with an outrageous 37.58% of driving fatalities being caused by drunk drivers. Meanwhile, DUI arrests are somewhat low, at a rate of 250.22, but that just means little is being done to prevent this reckless behavior.
- Percentage of Fatalities Caused by Drunk Drivers: 28.59%
- DUI Arrest Rate: 130.53
Alabama experiences a moderate rate of traffic deaths caused by drunk drivers, with nearly 6 out of every 100,000 being involved in a fatal crash. However, DUI arrests are somewhat low, showing that law enforcement has much work to do in preventing these incidents.
- Percentage of Fatalities Caused by Drunk Drivers: 30.76%
- DUI Arrest Rate: 116.05
Arrests in Louisiana may be lower compared to the rest of the country, but they still suffer from a relatively high percentage of fatalities caused by drunk drivers. To make matters worse, about 6 out of every 100,000 drivers are drunk drivers involved in a fatal crash.
- Percentage of Fatalities Caused by Drunk Drivers: 20.08%
- DUI Arrest Rate: 289.45
With 20.08% of fatalities attributed to drunk drivers and a DUI arrest rate of 289.45, Mississippi seems to boast a relatively better situation compared to many other states. However, with 7.16 drunk drivers out of every 100,000, involved in fatal crashes, the prevalence of drunk driving is clear.
- Percentage of Fatalities Caused by Drunk Drivers: 33.15%
- DUI Arrest Rate: 391.28
Iowa, with its picturesque landscapes and tight-knit communities, grapples with the scourge of drunk driving, as evidenced by its 33.15% of fatalities attributed to drunk drivers and a relatively high 391.28 DUI rate.
- Percentage of Fatalities Caused by Drunk Drivers: 35.68%
- DUI Arrest Rate: 281.35
Arizona’s percentage of traffic fatalities caused by drunk drivers is pretty high and its DUI arrest rate is nothing to scoff at either. Factors such as urban sprawl, nightlife culture, and limited public transportation options have contributed to the state’s struggles.
- Percentage of Fatalities Caused by Drunk Drivers: 29.41%
- DUI Arrest Rate: 456.98
Maine grapples with the persistent challenge of drunk driving, as reflected in its sobering statistics. Despite efforts to combat this perilous behavior, the DUI arrest rate stands at 456.98, underscoring the ongoing battle law enforcement faces in deterring drunk driving incidents.
- Percentage of Fatalities Caused by Drunk Drivers: 26.70%
- DUI Arrest Rate: 241.87
In the unlucky number 13 spot, Arkansas boasts a problematic 26.70% of fatalities caused by drunk driving, with a rate of 6.27 drunk drivers involved in fatal crashes. To add insult to injury, there are 241.87 DUI arrests for every 100,000 drivers.
- Percentage of Fatalities Caused by Drunk Drivers: 26.75%
- DUI Arrest Rate: 362.11
In Tennessee, the alarming statistics surrounding drunk driving paint a concerning picture of road safety within the state. With 26.75% of fatalities attributed to drunk drivers, the impact of intoxicated driving casts a shadow over Tennessee's highways. Further, a fairly high DUI arrest rate indicates a glaring problem for law enforcement.
- Percentage of Fatalities Caused by Drunk Drivers: 31.37%
- DUI Arrest Rate: 519.65
Idaho faces a sobering reality with drunk driving, as statistics reveal a concerning trend within the state. With a moderate 31.37% of fatalities attributed to drunk drivers, the impact of intoxicated driving reverberates across Idaho's roadways. Despite efforts to thwart this dangerous behavior, the DUI arrest rate stands at a whopping 519.65, underscoring the challenge law enforcement faces in combating drunk driving.
- Percentage of Fatalities Caused by Drunk Drivers: 25.20%
- DUI Arrest Rate: 333.63
Oklahoma is towards the bottom when it comes to the percentage of traffic fatalities caused by drunk drivers, but its 333.63 DUI arrest rate poses a huge enough concern to put the state as the 10th worst for drunk driving. About 6.03 drunk drivers out of every 100,000 drivers are involved in a fatal crash.
- Percentage of Fatalities Caused by Drunk Drivers: 28.54%
- DUI Arrest Rate: 336.38
Missouri suffers from 28.54% of fatalities caused by drunk drivers, which, while not the highest we’ve seen, is still a significant number. Meanwhile, DUI arrests account for about 336 for every 100,000 drivers. For a population with just 1.08 million, that’s pretty high.
- Percentage of Fatalities Caused by Drunk Drivers: 33.47%
- DUI Arrest Rate: 257.93
South Carolina has a similar rate of drunk drivers involved in fatal crashes as New Mexico, with 7.57 out of every 100,000 drivers. On top of that, around 33.47% of fatalities are caused by drunk drivers, proving once that again driving and alcohol are a bad combination.
- Percentage of Fatalities Caused by Drunk Drivers: 32.02%
- DUI Arrest Rate: 278.59
New Mexico’s moderately high 32% of traffic deaths caused by DUIs and DUI arrest rate put it as the seventh worst state when it comes to drunk driving. Even more alarming, 7.81 drunk drivers out of every 100,000 drivers are involved in a fatal crash.
- Percentage of Fatalities Caused by Drunk Drivers: 35.89%
- DUI Arrest Rate: 393.76
Oregon faces the challenge of combating drunk driving as it grapples with the prevalence of intoxicated driving incidents within its borders. Oregon has a moderately high DUI arrest rate and a moderately high percentage of fatalities caused by drunk driving. However, reducing these incidents requires a multifaceted approach that includes education, prevention programs, and community engagement.
Percentage of Fatalities Caused by Drunk Drivers: 32.67%
DUI Arrest Rate: 832.50
Coming in as the fifth worst state for drunk driving, North Dakota has the second-highest rate of DUI arrests in the country – nearly 833 for every 100,000 people. Like Wyoming, it has a moderately high percentage of traffic fatalities caused by drunk drivers.
- Percentage of Fatalities Caused by Drunk Drivers: 34.55%
- DUI Arrest Rate: 629.12
With a moderately high percentage of fatalities caused by drunk drivers and a significant DUI arrest rate, Wyoming undoubtedly struggles with drinking responsibly, putting lives in danger in the process. For every 100,000 drivers, there are 8.22 drunk drivers involved in a fatal crash.
- Percentage of Fatalities Caused by Drunk Drivers: 42.37%
- DUI Arrest Rate: 339.54
Texas has the second-highest percentage of traffic fatalities caused by drunk drivers out of all 50 states – a staggering 42.37%, with around 8.30 drunk drivers out of every 100,000 drivers. Despite stringent laws and widespread public awareness campaigns, the Lone Star State continues to grapple with the devastating consequences of intoxicated driving.
- Percentage of Fatalities Caused by Drunk Drivers: 35.14%
- DUI Arrest Rate: 879.12
Like Montana, factors such as rural expanses, limited public transportation options, and cultural attitudes toward alcohol contribute to the prevalence of drunk driving. While the percentage of fatalities caused by drunk drivers is nearly 10% lower than in Montana, DUI arrests are higher than in all other 49 states.
- Percentage of Fatalities Caused by Drunk Drivers: 43.51%
- DUI Arrest Rate: 450.50 (per 100,000 drivers)
Forbes Advisor ranked Montana as the worst state for drunk driving, thanks to having the highest percentage of traffic fatalities caused by drunk drivers at 43% and an astounding 450.50 DUI arrests per every 100,000 drivers. For every 100,000 drivers, there are 8.57 drunk drivers involved in a fatal crash.
Factors such as its vast rural landscapes, limited public transportation options, and a culture that sometimes glorifies heavy drinking contribute to the prevalence of this issue. Law enforcement agencies in Montana have been proactive in implementing sobriety checkpoints and increasing patrols to deter drunk driving, yet the state continues to face challenges in reducing these incidents.
