In Georgia, although the total number of traffic fatalities has actually increased over the years, the percentage of drunk driving fatalities has slowly declined. The actual number of alcohol related fatalities has declined also, after peaking in 1986 at 803. In 2006, out of all traffic fatalities, 27% 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	1,229	750	61	651	53
1983	1,296	716	55	603	47
1984	1,410	780	55	658	47
1985	1,361	694	51	587	43
1986	1,530	803	52	682	45
1987	1,599	798	50	679	42
1988	1,654	797	48	688	42
1989	1,632	779	48	691	42
1990	1,562	735	47	637	41
1991	1,389	648	47	549	40
1992	1,315	537	41	469	36
1993	1,394	561	40	481	34
1994	1,425	540	38	441	31
1995	1,488	531	36	455	31
1996	1,573	577	37	482	31
1997	1,577	586	37	478	30
1998	1,568	528	34	432	28
1999	1,508	524	35	445	29
2000	1,541	585	38	490	32
2001	1,647	558	34	473	29
2002	1,524	533	35	445	29
2003	1,603	488	30	420	26
2004	1,634	525	32	450	28
2005	1,729	545	32	463	27
2006	1,688	539	32	464	27

The table above shows the total number of traffic fatalities (Tot) for the Georgia, 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 Georgia 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 Georgia

In Georgia, 1st and 2nd offenses are misdemeanors, 3rd and subsequent offenses are high and aggravated misdemeanors . Citation:§40-6-391(c) & (k) ⁽²⁾

Sources for Georgia 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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