Year	Fatalities
	Tot	Alc-Rel	%	0.08+	%
1982	839	486	58	436	52
1983	930	573	62	508	55
1984	932	537	58	465	50
1985	882	439	50	385	44
1986	1,081	609	56	524	48
1987	1,111	596	54	524	47
1988	1,024	503	49	437	43
1989	1,029	527	51	448	44
1990	1,121	583	52	520	46
1991	1,116	551	49	494	44
1992	1,031	498	48	446	43
1993	1,044	476	46	433	41
1994	1,083	472	44	422	39
1995	1,114	494	44	441	40
1996	1,146	516	45	460	40
1997	1,192	499	42	438	37
1998	1,071	442	41	389	36
1999	1,138	465	41	422	37
2000	996	426	43	375	38
2001	991	374	38	330	33
2002	1,038	410	39	366	35
2003	1,001	415	41	376	38
2004	1,154	442	38	394	34
2005	1,131	423	37	382	34
2006	1,206	445	37	384	32
2007	1,110	456	41	389	35
2008	966	367	38	315	33
2009	848	325	38	280	33
2010	862	314	36	279	32
2011	894	309	35	259	29

The table above shows the total number of traffic fatalities (Tot) for Alabama, alcohol related fatalities (Alc-Rel) and fatalities in crashes where the highest BAC in the crash was 0.08 or above (0.08+).

It is important to note that the drunk driving statistics for Alabama, as shown above, include data from individuals who were in an alcohol-related crash, but not driving a motor vehicle at the time. The U.S. Department of Transportation defines alcohol-related deaths as "fatalities that occur in crashes where at least one driver or non-occupant (pedestrian or pedalcyclist) involved in the crash has a positive Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) value."

All 50 states in the US now apply two statutory offenses to operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. The first (and original) offense is known either as driving under the influence (DUI), driving while intoxicated/impaired (DWI), or operating while intoxicated/impaired (OWI). This is based upon a police officer's observations (driving behavior, slurred speech, the results of a roadside sobriety test, etc.)

The second offense is called "illegal per se", which is driving with a BAC of 0.08% or higher. Since 2002 it has been illegal in all 50 states to drive with a BAC that is 0.08% or higher.

Criminal status of DUI laws in Alabama

In Alabama, a 4th or subsequent drunk driving offense is a class C felony (fewer offenses not classified) Citation: ?32-5A-191(e), (f),(g) & (h)⁽²⁾

Sources for Alabama drunk driving stats

US Dept. of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 12/02
⁽²⁾ National Conference of State Legislatures, 2004

Compare the drunk driving statistics in Alabama with the rest of the country

Imagine if more people had a personal breathalyzer to test themselves before getting behind the wheel.

Alcohol breath test