California Drunk Driving Statistics
Year |
Fatalities |
||||
Tot |
Alc-Rel |
% |
0.08+ |
% |
|
1982 |
4,615 |
2,799 |
61 |
2,484 |
54 |
1983 |
4,573 |
2,669 |
58 |
2,345 |
51 |
1984 |
5,020 |
2,894 |
58 |
2,522 |
50 |
1985 |
4,960 |
2,633 |
53 |
2,262 |
46 |
1986 |
5,253 |
2,813 |
54 |
2,370 |
45 |
1987 |
5,504 |
2,961 |
54 |
2,459 |
45 |
1988 |
5,392 |
2,773 |
51 |
2,354 |
44 |
1989 |
5,412 |
2,795 |
52 |
2,421 |
45 |
1990 |
5,192 |
2,697 |
52 |
2,305 |
44 |
1991 |
4,688 |
2,263 |
48 |
1,946 |
42 |
1992 |
4,192 |
2,015 |
48 |
1,687 |
40 |
1993 |
4,164 |
1,815 |
44 |
1,534 |
37 |
1994 |
4,232 |
1,743 |
41 |
1,468 |
35 |
1995 |
4,192 |
1,758 |
42 |
1,445 |
34 |
1996 |
3,989 |
1,666 |
42 |
1,368 |
34 |
1997 |
3,688 |
1,348 |
37 |
1,113 |
30 |
1998 |
3,494 |
1,367 |
39 |
1,133 |
32 |
1999 |
3,559 |
1,397 |
39 |
1,163 |
33 |
2000 |
3,753 |
1,450 |
39 |
1,199 |
32 |
2001 |
3,956 |
1,552 |
39 |
1,255 |
32 |
2002 |
4,088 |
1,628 |
40 |
1,326 |
32 |
2003 |
4,215 |
1,626 |
39 |
1,378 |
33 |
2004 |
4,120 |
1,643 |
40 |
1,367 |
33 |
2005 |
4,329 |
1,719 |
40 |
1,466 |
34 |
2006 |
4,229 |
1,509 |
36 |
1,276 |
30 |
2007 |
3,974 |
1,405 |
35 |
1,155 |
29 |
2008 |
3,434 |
1,198 |
35 |
1,029 |
30 |
2009 |
3,081 |
1,118 |
36 |
950 |
31 |
2010 |
2715 |
924 |
34 |
791 |
29 |
2011 |
2791 |
886 |
32 |
774 |
28 |
The table above shows the total number of traffic fatalities (Tot) for California, 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 California 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."
The fatality rates shown above refer to the number of people killed in all traffic accidents and, separately, in alcohol-related traffic accidents, per 100 million vehicle miles traveled.
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 California
In California, non-injury DUI offenses are generally misdemeanors, a 4th or subsequent offense is a felony if offender is sentenced to incarceration in a state prison - Vehicle Code ??23152, 23550, & 40000.15 (2)
Sources for California drunk driving information and statistics
US Dept. of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 12/02
(2) National Conference of State Legislatures, 2004
National drunk driving statistics in the US...