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Michigan Drunk Driving Statistics

Michigan has experienced a fairly steady decline in the number of drunk driving deaths and in the percentage of traffic fatalities that are alcohol related. The highest number of alcohol related deaths occurred in 1984, with 897, while the lowest number was reported in 2006, with 390. The percentage of traffic fatalities that were alcohol related peaked in 1982 at 63% and dropped to 36% in 2006. Also, in 2006, out of all traffic fatalities, 31% involved a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 or higher.

Year
Fatalities
Tot
Alc-Rel
%
0.08+
%
1982
1,392
871
63
780
56
1983
1,314
788
60
727
55
1984
1,531
897
59
798
52
1985
1,545
788
51
688
45
1986
1,605
862
54
746
46
1987
1,602
839
52
734
46
1988
1,708
869
51
750
44
1989
1,639
780
48
664
41
1990
1,571
798
51
699
45
1991
1,421
684
48
594
42
1992
1,300
553
43
476
37
1993
1,414
632
45
549
39
1994
1,421
604
43
526
37
1995
1,530
634
41
537
35
1996
1,505
630
42
545
36
1997
1,446
573
40
479
33
1998
1,366
552
40
476
35
1999
1,382
565
41
496
36
2000
1,382
528
38
452
33
2001
1,328
520
39
443
33
2002
1,277
494
39
425
33
2003
1,283
481
37
395
31
2004
1,159
430
37
367
32
2005
1,129
421
37
363
32
2006
1,081
390
36
332
31

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

It is important to note that the Michigan 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 Michigan

In Michigan, 1st and 2nd offenses are misdemeanors, 3rd or subsequent offenses are felonies. Citation:§257.625(8) & (10) (2)

Sources for Michigan 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 breathalyzers that work like vending machines.