InSure

Having some fun and drinking in moderation is fine, but risking someone’s life by selfishly choosing to combine drinking and driving is inexcusable.

The CDC reports: every 51 minutes someone is killed by a drunk driver in the United States.

Each day there is an average of 28 people killed by impaired drivers on our nation’s public roadways.

We aren’t just paying for lifelong injuries and deaths either. Alcohol-related car crashes are costing our country over $44 billion annually!

Clearly, drunk driving is no little problem, which is why our team of expert analysts conducted an in-depth study to determine which parts of the U.S. are in the most trouble.

All 50 states plus D.C. were ranked according to five major drunk driving categories. Below is a countdown of the Safest to the Deadliest States for Drunk Driving in our nation. Find our complete ranking methodology here.

#51 – New York

• Percent of All Traffic Deaths that are Alcohol-Related: 27.6%
• Percent Change from Previous Year: down 10.4%
• Drunk Driving Death Rate (Per 100k Residents): 1.43
• DUI Arrest Rate (Per 100k Residents): 148.08
• Percent of Adults Admitting to Driving After Drinking Too Much: 1%

#50 – Arkansas

• Percent of All Traffic Deaths that are Alcohol-Related: 21.5%
• Percent Change from Previous Year: down 25.9%
• Drunk Driving Death Rate (Per 100k Residents): 3.92
• DUI Arrest Rate (Per 100k Residents): 224.31
• Percent of Adults Admitting to Driving After Drinking Too Much: 1.4%

#49 – Utah

• Percent of All Traffic Deaths that are Alcohol-Related: 18.5%
• Percent Change from Previous Year: up 20.9%
• Drunk Driving Death Rate (Per 100k Residents): 1.70
• DUI Arrest Rate (Per 100k Residents): 285.56
• Percent of Adults Admitting to Driving After Drinking Too Much: 0.8%

#47 (Tie) – West Virginia

• Percent of All Traffic Deaths that are Alcohol-Related: 25.3%
• Percent Change from Previous Year: down 4.2%
• Drunk Driving Death Rate (Per 100k Residents): 3.71
• DUI Arrest Rate (Per 100k Residents): 241.77
• Percent of Adults Admitting to Driving After Drinking Too Much: 0.5%

#47 (Tie) – Georgia

• Percent of All Traffic Deaths that are Alcohol-Related: 23.7%
• Percent Change from Previous Year: up 2.8%
• Drunk Driving Death Rate (Per 100k Residents): 3.57
• DUI Arrest Rate (Per 100k Residents): 183.69
• Percent of Adults Admitting to Driving After Drinking Too Much: 0.7%

#46 – Tennessee

• Percent of All Traffic Deaths that are Alcohol-Related: 21.4%
• Percent Change from Previous Year: down 11.2%
• Drunk Driving Death Rate (Per 100k Residents): 3.35
• DUI Arrest Rate (Per 100k Residents): 339.23
• Percent of Adults Admitting to Driving After Drinking Too Much: 1.1%

#44 (Tie) – Mississippi

• Percent of All Traffic Deaths that are Alcohol-Related: 18.6%
• Percent Change from Previous Year: down 27.7%
• Drunk Driving Death Rate (Per 100k Residents): 4.28
• DUI Arrest Rate (Per 100k Residents): 239.57
• Percent of Adults Admitting to Driving After Drinking Too Much: 1.6%

#44 (Tie) – Maryland

• Percent of All Traffic Deaths that are Alcohol-Related: 25.7%
• Percent Change from Previous Year: down 18.8%
• Drunk Driving Death Rate (Per 100k Residents): 2.16
• DUI Arrest Rate (Per 100k Residents): 296.01
• Percent of Adults Admitting to Driving After Drinking Too Much: 1.8%

#43 – North Carolina

• Percent of All Traffic Deaths that are Alcohol-Related: 24.4%
• Percent Change from Previous Year: down 9%
• Drunk Driving Death Rate (Per 100k Residents): 3.49
• DUI Arrest Rate (Per 100k Residents): 299.41
• Percent of Adults Admitting to Driving After Drinking Too Much: 1.2%

#42 – Minnesota

• Percent of All Traffic Deaths that are Alcohol-Related: 23.7%
• Percent Change from Previous Year: down 20.5%
• Drunk Driving Death Rate (Per 100k Residents): 1.68
• DUI Arrest Rate (Per 100k Residents): 347.76
• Percent of Adults Admitting to Driving After Drinking Too Much: 1.9%

#41 – Michigan

• Percent of All Traffic Deaths that are Alcohol-Related: 22.2%
• Percent Change from Previous Year: down 11.9%
• Drunk Driving Death Rate (Per 100k Residents): 2.38
• DUI Arrest Rate (Per 100k Residents): 277.70
• Percent of Adults Admitting to Driving After Drinking Too Much: 2.2%

#40 – New Jersey

• Percent of All Traffic Deaths that are Alcohol-Related: 22.8%
• Percent Change from Previous Year: up 26.9%
• Drunk Driving Death Rate (Per 100k Residents): 1.53
• DUI Arrest Rate (Per 100k Residents): 254.29
• Percent of Adults Admitting to Driving After Drinking Too Much: 1.4%

#39 – Kansas

• Percent of All Traffic Deaths that are Alcohol-Related: 21.9%
• Percent Change from Previous Year: up 13.3%
• Drunk Driving Death Rate (Per 100k Residents): 3.23
• DUI Arrest Rate (Per 100k Residents): 203.73
• Percent of Adults Admitting to Driving After Drinking Too Much: 1.4%

#38 – Illinois

• Percent of All Traffic Deaths that are Alcohol-Related: 29.1%
• Percent Change from Previous Year: 0%
• Drunk Driving Death Rate (Per 100k Residents): 2.46
• DUI Arrest Rate (Per 100k Residents): 22.88
• Percent of Adults Admitting to Driving After Drinking Too Much: 1.8%

#37 – Arizona

• Percent of All Traffic Deaths that are Alcohol-Related: 24.1%
• Percent Change from Previous Year: down 13.8%
• Drunk Driving Death Rate (Per 100k Residents): 3.35
• DUI Arrest Rate (Per 100k Residents): 339.02
• Percent of Adults Admitting to Driving After Drinking Too Much: 1.6%

#36 – Virginia

• Percent of All Traffic Deaths that are Alcohol-Related: 28.9%
• Percent Change from Previous Year: up 6.8%
• Drunk Driving Death Rate (Per 100k Residents): 2.62
• DUI Arrest Rate (Per 100k Residents): 238.76
• Percent of Adults Admitting to Driving After Drinking Too Much: 1.5%

#35 – Kentucky

• Percent of All Traffic Deaths that are Alcohol-Related: 21%
• Percent Change from Previous Year: down 6.9%
• Drunk Driving Death Rate (Per 100k Residents): 3.94
• DUI Arrest Rate (Per 100k Residents): 380.91
• Percent of Adults Admitting to Driving After Drinking Too Much: 1.4%

#34 – Pennsylvania

• Percent of All Traffic Deaths that are Alcohol-Related: 27.5%
• Percent Change from Previous Year: down 9.4%
• Drunk Driving Death Rate (Per 100k Residents): 2.56
• DUI Arrest Rate (Per 100k Residents): 345.04
• Percent of Adults Admitting to Driving After Drinking Too Much: 1.8%

#32 (Tie) – Delaware

• Percent of All Traffic Deaths that are Alcohol-Related: 31.1%
• Percent Change from Previous Year: down 5.1%
• Drunk Driving Death Rate (Per 100k Residents): 3.89
• DUI Arrest Rate (Per 100k Residents): 37.29
• Percent of Adults Admitting to Driving After Drinking Too Much: 1.7%

#32 (Tie) – Ohio

• Percent of All Traffic Deaths that are Alcohol-Related: 28.6%
• Percent Change from Previous Year: up 4.9%
• Drunk Driving Death Rate (Per 100k Residents): 2.79
• DUI Arrest Rate (Per 100k Residents): 129.67
• Percent of Adults Admitting to Driving After Drinking Too Much: 2%

#31 – Indiana

• Percent of All Traffic Deaths that are Alcohol-Related: 25.7%
• Percent Change from Previous Year: up 22.7%
• Drunk Driving Death Rate (Per 100k Residents): 3.18
• DUI Arrest Rate (Per 100k Residents): 203.41
• Percent of Adults Admitting to Driving After Drinking Too Much: 1.6%

#29 (Tie) – Oklahoma

• Percent of All Traffic Deaths that are Alcohol-Related: 26.4%
• Percent Change from Previous Year: up 7.1%
• Drunk Driving Death Rate (Per 100k Residents): 4.59
• DUI Arrest Rate (Per 100k Residents): 310.94
• Percent of Adults Admitting to Driving After Drinking Too Much: 0.9%

#29 (Tie) – Massachusetts

• Percent of All Traffic Deaths that are Alcohol-Related: 30.6%
• Percent Change from Previous Year: up 9.2%
• Drunk Driving Death Rate (Per 100k Residents): 1.75
• DUI Arrest Rate (Per 100k Residents): 132.24
• Percent of Adults Admitting to Driving After Drinking Too Much: 2%

#28 – Florida

• Percent of All Traffic Deaths that are Alcohol-Related: 26.5%
• Percent Change from Previous Year: up 6.7%
• Drunk Driving Death Rate (Per 100k Residents): 4.08
• DUI Arrest Rate (Per 100k Residents): 170
• Percent of Adults Admitting to Driving After Drinking Too Much: 1.7%

#27 – Missouri

• Percent of All Traffic Deaths that are Alcohol-Related: 25.8%
• Percent Change from Previous Year: up 8.4%
• Drunk Driving Death Rate (Per 100k Residents): 4
• DUI Arrest Rate (Per 100k Residents): 323.80
• Percent of Adults Admitting to Driving After Drinking Too Much: 1.3%

#26 – Alabama

• Percent of All Traffic Deaths that are Alcohol-Related: 26.9%
• Percent Change from Previous Year: up 13.4%
• Drunk Driving Death Rate (Per 100k Residents): 5.74
• DUI Arrest Rate (Per 100k Residents): 167.09
• Percent of Adults Admitting to Driving After Drinking Too Much: 1.3%

#25 – Connecticut

• Percent of All Traffic Deaths that are Alcohol-Related: 34.1%
• Percent Change from Previous Year: down 2.9%
• Drunk Driving Death Rate (Per 100k Residents): 2.80
• DUI Arrest Rate (Per 100k Residents): 238.59
• Percent of Adults Admitting to Driving After Drinking Too Much: 1.9%

#24 – District of Columbia

• Percent of All Traffic Deaths that are Alcohol-Related: 37%
• Percent Change from Previous Year: up 66.7%
• Drunk Driving Death Rate (Per 100k Residents): 1.47
• DUI Arrest Rate (Per 100k Residents): 1.61
• Percent of Adults Admitting to Driving After Drinking Too Much: 1.9%

#22 (Tie) – Wyoming

• Percent of All Traffic Deaths that are Alcohol-Related: 28.6%
• Percent Change from Previous Year: down 40.7%
• Drunk Driving Death Rate (Per 100k Residents): 5.47
• DUI Arrest Rate (Per 100k Residents): 521.95
• Percent of Adults Admitting to Driving After Drinking Too Much: 1.4%

#22 (Tie) – Louisiana

• Percent of All Traffic Deaths that are Alcohol-Related: 29.7%
• Percent Change from Previous Year: down 10%
• Drunk Driving Death Rate (Per 100k Residents): 4.81
• DUI Arrest Rate (Per 100k Residents): 162.06
• Percent of Adults Admitting to Driving After Drinking Too Much: 2.2%

#21 – Hawaii

• Percent of All Traffic Deaths that are Alcohol-Related: 28.3%
• Percent Change from Previous Year: 0%
• Drunk Driving Death Rate (Per 100k Residents): 2.38
• DUI Arrest Rate (Per 100k Residents): 415.03
• Percent of Adults Admitting to Driving After Drinking Too Much: 2.1%

#20 – Rhode Island

• Percent of All Traffic Deaths that are Alcohol-Related: 37.3%
• Percent Change from Previous Year: 0%
• Drunk Driving Death Rate (Per 100k Residents): 1.8
• DUI Arrest Rate (Per 100k Residents): 257.38
• Percent of Adults Admitting to Driving After Drinking Too Much: 2.5%

#19 – New Hampshire

• Percent of All Traffic Deaths that are Alcohol-Related: 29.4%
• Percent Change from Previous Year: up 21.2%
• Drunk Driving Death Rate (Per 100k Residents): 3
• DUI Arrest Rate (Per 100k Residents): 365.15
• Percent of Adults Admitting to Driving After Drinking Too Much: 1.3%

#18 – Washington

• Percent of All Traffic Deaths that are Alcohol-Related: 30%
• Percent Change from Previous Year: up 12.6%
• Drunk Driving Death Rate (Per 100k Residents): 2.21
• DUI Arrest Rate (Per 100k Residents): 318.45
• Percent of Adults Admitting to Driving After Drinking Too Much: 1.9%

#16 (Tie) – Colorado

• Percent of All Traffic Deaths that are Alcohol-Related: 26.5%
• Percent Change from Previous Year: up 5.9%
• Drunk Driving Death Rate (Per 100k Residents): 2.91
• DUI Arrest Rate (Per 100k Residents): 421.69
• Percent of Adults Admitting to Driving After Drinking Too Much: 1.9%

#16 (Tie) – Nebraska

• Percent of All Traffic Deaths that are Alcohol-Related: 28.4%
• Percent Change from Previous Year: down 3.1%
• Drunk Driving Death Rate (Per 100k Residents): 3.25
• DUI Arrest Rate (Per 100k Residents): 364.32
• Percent of Adults Admitting to Driving After Drinking Too Much: 2.5%

#15 – Oregon

• Percent of All Traffic Deaths that are Alcohol-Related: 31.1%
• Percent Change from Previous Year: 0%
• Drunk Driving Death Rate (Per 100k Residents): 3.76
• DUI Arrest Rate (Per 100k Residents): 348.90
• Percent of Adults Admitting to Driving After Drinking Too Much: 1.6%

#14 – New Mexico

• Percent of All Traffic Deaths that are Alcohol-Related: 29.4%
• Percent Change from Previous Year: up 20.4%
• Drunk Driving Death Rate (Per 100k Residents): 5.67
• DUI Arrest Rate (Per 100k Residents): 296.87
• Percent of Adults Admitting to Driving After Drinking Too Much: 1.1%

#13 – California

• Percent of All Traffic Deaths that are Alcohol-Related: 29.2%
• Percent Change from Previous Year: up 16.2%
• Drunk Driving Death Rate (Per 100k Residents): 2.70
• DUI Arrest Rate (Per 100k Residents): 330.58
• Percent of Adults Admitting to Driving After Drinking Too Much: 1.9%

#12 – Texas

• Percent of All Traffic Deaths that are Alcohol-Related: 38.1%
• Percent Change from Previous Year: up 2.3%
• Drunk Driving Death Rate (Per 100k Residents): 5.16
• DUI Arrest Rate (Per 100k Residents): 243.88
• Percent of Adults Admitting to Driving After Drinking Too Much: 1.8%

#11 – Iowa

• Percent of All Traffic Deaths that are Alcohol-Related: 26.2%
• Percent Change from Previous Year: up 35.9%
• Drunk Driving Death Rate (Per 100k Residents): 3.38
• DUI Arrest Rate (Per 100k Residents): 313.78
• Percent of Adults Admitting to Driving After Drinking Too Much: 2.8%

#10 – Nevada

• Percent of All Traffic Deaths that are Alcohol-Related: 30.8%
• Percent Change from Previous Year: up 3.1%
• Drunk Driving Death Rate (Per 100k Residents): 3.44
• DUI Arrest Rate (Per 100k Residents): 362.58
• Percent of Adults Admitting to Driving After Drinking Too Much: 2.2%

#7 (Tie) – South Carolina

• Percent of All Traffic Deaths that are Alcohol-Related: 32.6%
• Percent Change from Previous Year: up 7.8%
• Drunk Driving Death Rate (Per 100k Residents): 6.67
• DUI Arrest Rate (Per 100k Residents): 321.44
• Percent of Adults Admitting to Driving After Drinking Too Much: 1.6%

#7 (Tie) – Idaho

• Percent of All Traffic Deaths that are Alcohol-Related: 30.4%
• Percent Change from Previous Year: up 10%
• Drunk Driving Death Rate (Per 100k Residents): 4.57
• DUI Arrest Rate (Per 100k Residents): 368.06
• Percent of Adults Admitting to Driving After Drinking Too Much: 1.6%

#7 (Tie) – Wisconsin

• Percent of All Traffic Deaths that are Alcohol-Related: 31.8%
• Percent Change from Previous Year: up 1%
• Drunk Driving Death Rate (Per 100k Residents): 3.34
• DUI Arrest Rate (Per 100k Residents): 429.08
• Percent of Adults Admitting to Driving After Drinking Too Much: 2.2%

#6 – Vermont

• Percent of All Traffic Deaths that are Alcohol-Related: 43.5%
• Percent Change from Previous Year: up 80%
• Drunk Driving Death Rate (Per 100k Residents): 4.32
• DUI Arrest Rate (Per 100k Residents): 235.99
• Percent of Adults Admitting to Driving After Drinking Too Much: 1.8%

#5 – Maine

• Percent of All Traffic Deaths that are Alcohol-Related: 33.5%
• Percent Change from Previous Year: up 8%
• Drunk Driving Death Rate (Per 100k Residents): 4.06
• DUI Arrest Rate (Per 100k Residents): 438.16
• Percent of Adults Admitting to Driving After Drinking Too Much: 1.7%

#4 – Alaska

• Percent of All Traffic Deaths that are Alcohol-Related: 35.7%
• Percent Change from Previous Year: up 36.4%
• Drunk Driving Death Rate (Per 100k Residents): 4.04
• DUI Arrest Rate (Per 100k Residents): 412.86
• Percent of Adults Admitting to Driving After Drinking Too Much: 1.6%

#3 – South Dakota

• Percent of All Traffic Deaths that are Alcohol-Related: 39.7%
• Percent Change from Previous Year: up 2.2%
• Drunk Driving Death Rate (Per 100k Residents): 5.32
• DUI Arrest Rate (Per 100k Residents): 831.47
• Percent of Adults Admitting to Driving After Drinking Too Much: 2.2%

#2 – North Dakota

• Percent of All Traffic Deaths that are Alcohol-Related: 44.2%
• Percent Change from Previous Year: up 2%
• Drunk Driving Death Rate (Per 100k Residents): 6.60
• DUI Arrest Rate (Per 100k Residents): 755.32
• Percent of Adults Admitting to Driving After Drinking Too Much: 3.4%

#1 – Montana

• Percent of All Traffic Deaths that are Alcohol-Related: 44.7%
• Percent Change from Previous Year: up 11.8%
• Drunk Driving Death Rate (Per 100k Residents): 8.15
• DUI Arrest Rate (Per 100k Residents): 421.29
• Percent of Adults Admitting to Driving After Drinking Too Much: 2.4%

Methodology

This in-depth study is based on the following data:

• The latest drunk driving crash report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
• DUI arrest totals for each state from the FBI’s Department of Justice
• Reports from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention on adults who admit to drinking and driving

Our researchers compiled the information from the above reports to rank all 50 states plus D.C. according to five main categories:

1. Percent of All Traffic Deaths that were Alcohol-Related in 2016
2. Percent Change from 2015
3. Drunk Driving Death Rate (For every 100,000 residents)
4. DUI Arrest Rate (For every 100,000 residents)
5. Percent of Adults Admitting to Driving After Drinking Too Much

Those five rankings were added together to reach a total score then final ranking as seen above.

Click here to see all 306 rankings and the score breakdown for the entire U.S. For all media inquiries, please email: [email protected]

Features / States

06.08.2018 /