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Kentucky Drunk Driving Statistics

In Kentucky, the total number of traffic fatalities actually increased since 1982, however, both the number and percentage of alcohol related deaths decreased. The highest year for both was 1982. In 2006, out of all traffic fatalities, 24% 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
822
482
59
401
49
1983
778
435
56
390
50
1984
754
389
52
333
44
1985
712
343
48
305
43
1986
805
398
49
347
43
1987
844
407
48
351
42
1988
838
411
49
355
42
1989
772
341
44
285
37
1990
849
371
44
320
38
1991
826
380
46
328
40
1992
815
333
41
292
36
1993
871
338
39
291
33
1994
778
309
40
246
32
1995
849
302
36
262
31
1996
842
317
38
275
33
1997
857
301
35
266
31
1998
858
306
36
261
30
1999
814
300
37
264
32
2000
820
280
34
237
29
2001
845
251
30
218
26
2002
915
302
33
263
29
2003
928
276
30
240
26
2004
964
308
32
269
28
2005
985
313
32
267
27
2006
913
257
28
222
24

The table above shows the total number of traffic fatalities (Tot) for the Kentucky, 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 fatality statistics for Kentucky

It is important to note that the Kentucky 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 bicyclist) 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.

Criminal status of DUI laws in Kentucky

In Kentucky, 1st offense is a class B misdemeanor, 2nd offense within 5 years is a class A misdemeanor, 3rd offense within 5 years with a BAC under .18 is a class A misdemeanor, 3rd offense with a BAC of .18 or higher is a class D felony; 4th and subsequent offenses are class D felonies. Citation:§§189A.010(5), 532.020 & 532.060 (2)

Sources for Kentucky 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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