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Arkansas Drunk Driving Statistics

As shown in the chart below, the alcohol related fatalities in Arkansas peaked in 1989 and then declined in most of the subsequent years to almost half as many in 2001 as in 1989. Their drunk driving prevention efforts are working. In 2006, out of all traffic fatalities, 30% involved a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 or higher - down slightly from 2005.

Year
Fatalities
Tot
Alc-Rel
%
0.08+
%
1982
550
334
61
304
55
1983
557
315
57
288
52
1984
525
311
59
267
51
1985
534
299
56
268
50
1986
603
361
60
318
53
1987
639
366
57
308
48
1988
610
361
59
317
52
1989
647
380
59
339
52
1990
604
344
57
300
50
1991
608
362
60
305
50
1992
588
286
49
242
41
1993
583
241
41
200
34
1994
609
226
37
183
30
1995
631
243
39
182
29
1996
615
237
39
194
32
1997
660
216
33
178
27
1998
625
216
35
179
29
1999
604
212
35
170
28
2000
652
223
34
175
27
2001
611
195
32
151
25
2002
640
241
38
206
32
2003
627
254
41
203
32
2004
704
276
39
236
33
2005
648
233
36
208
32
2006
665
245
37
197
30

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

Arkansas drunk driving statistics

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.

It is important to note that the Arkansas drunk driving statistics, 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."

Criminal status of DUI laws in Arkansas

In Arkansas, 4th or subsequent offenses within 5 years are felonies (fewer offenses not classified) - Citation: §§5-65-111 & 5-65-112 (2)

Sources for Arkansas drunk driving information and statistics

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

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