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

Georgia Drunk Driving Statistics

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+).

Drunk driving or alcohol-related fatalities for Georgia

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...

Learn about alcohol breath testing vending machines.