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Louisiana Drunk Driving Statistics

In Louisiana, the year with the most alcohol related fatalities was 1982, and the state has shown a steady drop until 1994, when the progress leveled out. The percentage of alcohol related deaths has shown a nearly steady drop since 1982. In 2006, out of all traffic fatalities, 37% involved a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 or higher, a slight uptick from the year before.

Year
Fatalities
Tot
Alc-Rel
%
0.08+
%
1982
1,091
658
60
568
52
1983
933
538
58
472
51
1984
961
590
61
525
55
1985
931
471
51
399
43
1986
932
502
54
441
47
1987
826
460
56
394
48
1988
925
490
53
414
45
1989
878
442
50
385
44
1990
959
550
57
469
49
1991
862
491
57
428
50
1992
886
493
56
427
48
1993
878
483
55
420
48
1994
843
429
51
379
45
1995
894
476
53
395
44
1996
902
461
51
390
43
1997
931
444
48
386
41
1998
926
443
48
375
40
1999
938
445
47
389
41
2000
938
454
48
391
42
2001
952
444
47
378
40
2002
907
427
47
365
40
2003
894
406
45
363
41
2004
904
414
46
345
38
2005
955
394
41
347
36
2006
982
425
43
364
37

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

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.

Drunk driving or alcohol-related fatalities stats for Louisiana

It is important to note that the Louisiana 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.

Criminal status of DUI laws in Louisiana

In Louisiana, 1st and 2nd offenses not classified, 3rd offense can be either a misdemeanor or felony, 4th offense is a felony. Citation:§14:98 (2)

Sources for Louisiana 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