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California Drunk Driving Statistics

As shown in the chart below, the percentage of alcohol related fatalities out of the total number of traffic fatalities in California was highest in 1982 at 61%, but the total number of alcohol related fatalities peaked in 1987 with 2,961. Since then, there was a steady decline in both the total number of driving fatalities and in drunk driving deaths, until 1998. From 1998 through 2005, there was a stubborn reversal of the downward trend. In 2006, out of all traffic fatalities, 30% involved a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 or higher, which accounted for 1276 deaths - the lowest since 2001.

Year
Fatalities
Tot
Alc-Rel
%
0.08+
%
1982
4615
2799
61
2484
54
1983
4573
2669
58
2345
51
1984
5020
2894
58
2522
50
1985
4960
2633
53
2262
46
1986
5253
2813
54
2370
45
1987
5504
2961
54
2459
45
1988
5392
2773
51
2354
44
1989
5412
2795
52
2421
45
1990
5192
2697
52
2305
44
1991
4688
2263
48
1946
42
1992
4192
2015
48
1687
40
1993
4164
1815
44
1534
37
1994
4232
1743
41
1468
35
1995
4192
1758
42
1445
34
1996
3989
1666
42
1368
34
1997
3688
1348
37
1113
30
1998
3494
1367
39
1133
32
1999
3559
1397
39
1163
33
2000
3753
1450
39
1199
32
2001
3956
1552
39
1255
32
2002
4088
1628
40
1326
32
2003
4215
1626
39
1378
33
2004
4120
1643
40
1367
33
2005
4329
1719
40
1466
34
2006
4229
1509
36
1276
30

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+).

California drunk driving statistics

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...

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