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Missouri Drunk Driving Statistics

Missouri is one of the few states in the US where the number of alcohol related fatalities has actually increased since 1982. However, the percentage of alcohol related fatalities has gone down as the total number of highway fatalities has increased. The alcohol related death rate per 100 million VMT (see explanation below) has also decreased. In 2006, out of all traffic fatalities, 35% involved a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 or higher.

Year
Fatalities
Tot
Alc-Rel
%
0.08+
%
1982
890
483
54
422
47
1983
911
505
55
461
51
1984
967
480
50
427
44
1985
931
434
47
383
41
1986
1,129
609
54
523
46
1987
1,045
542
52
483
46
1988
1,103
601
54
527
48
1989
1,052
562
53
484
46
1990
1,097
597
54
507
46
1991
1,011
516
51
454
45
1992
985
477
48
414
42
1993
947
474
50
419
44
1994
1,089
552
51
488
45
1995
1,109
560
50
489
44
1996
1,148
576
50
511
45
1997
1,192
504
42
433
36
1998
1,169
513
44
430
37
1999
1,094
438
40
368
34
2000
1,157
516
45
455
39
2001
1,098
520
47
440
40
2002
1,208
518
43
448
37
2003
1,232
504
41
425
34
2004
1,130
449
40
388
34
2005
1,257
515
41
434
35
2006
1,087
469
43
380
35

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

It is important to note that the 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 (VMT).

Criminal status of DUI laws in Missouri

In Missouri, 1st intoxication offense is a class B misdemeanor, 1st per se offense is class C misdemeanor, 2nd offenses are class A misdemeanors, 3rd or subsequent offenses are class D felonies. Citation:§§577.010, 577.012, 577.023, 558.011 & 560.016 (2)

Sources for Missouri 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.