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+).

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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