Drunk driving prevention - Alcohol Alert
 HOME: Connecticut Drunk Driving Statistics

Connecticut Drunk Driving Statistics

In Connecticut, an amazing 69% of fatalities were alcohol related in 1982. The actual number and percentage of drunk driving deaths was highest that year. Since then, the alohol related fatalities have mostly decreased. In 2006, out of all traffic fatalities, 36% involved a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 or higher.

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.

Year
Fatalities
Tot
Alc-Rel
%
0.08+
%
1982
515
356
69
320
62
1983
438
284
65
257
59
1984
469
306
65
271
58
1985
448
267
60
236
53
1986
455
261
57
225
49
1987
449
270
60
237
53
1988
484
257
53
223
46
1989
406
217
53
200
49
1990
385
217
56
197
51
1991
310
168
54
142
46
1992
296
144
49
127
43
1993
342
152
44
139
41
1994
310
148
48
128
41
1995
317
153
48
142
45
1996
310
152
49
131
42
1997
339
153
45
133
39
1998
329
144
44
128
39
1999
301
136
45
117
39
2000
341
161
47
140
41
2001
318
161
51
141
44
2002
325
144
44
125
38
2003
294
131
45
114
39
2004
291
127
44
112
38
2005
274
120
44
101
37
2006
301
121
40
109
36

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

Drunk driving stats for Connecticut

It is important to note that the Connecticut 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 Connecticut

In Connecticut, 1st and 2nd offenses are misdemeanors, 3rd and subsequent offenses are felonies - Citation: §§14-227a(h), 53a-25 & 53a-26 (2)

Sources for Connecticut 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...

Learn how you can save lives in your community and make money at the same time with your own coin-operated machines for testing blood alcohol content .