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New York Drunk Driving Statistics

Slightly over half of all traffic fatalities in New York were alcohol related in 1982, which was the highest percentage for this state since recording began. That same year recorded the highest number of alcohol-related deaths with 1,131. Since then, the number of alcohol related fatalities has dropped significantly, to 483, in 2006. The lowest number was reported in in 1998, with 451. In the most recent year of stats, 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
2,162
1,131
52
977
45
1983
2,077
1,019
49
899
43
1984
2,060
1,023
50
865
42
1985
2,006
966
48
808
40
1986
2,121
979
46
803
38
1987
2,339
1,081
46
875
37
1988
2,256
946
42
770
34
1989
2,260
924
41
778
34
1990
2,217
952
43
802
36
1991
2,008
787
39
691
34
1992
1,815
676
37
559
31
1993
1,790
650
36
542
30
1994
1,678
560
33
471
28
1995
1,679
577
34
482
29
1996
1,593
557
35
470
29
1997
1,652
512
31
423
26
1998
1,514
451
30
333
22
1999
1,599
483
30
399
25
2000
1,460
476
33
382
26
2001
1,564
505
32
412
26
2002
1,530
482
31
403
26
2003
1,491
529
35
458
31
2004
1,493
587
39
494
33
2005
1,429
524
37
434
30
2006
1,454
483
33
397
27

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

It is important to note that the New York 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."

Criminal status of DUI laws in New York

In New York, impaired offenses: 1st offense is a traffic infraction, 2nd and subsequent offenses are misdemeanors. Per se offenses: 1st offense is a misdemeanor, 2nd offense within 10 years is a class E felony, 3rd offense within 10 years is a class D felony . Citation:V&T Law §§1192 & 1193(1)(c) (2)

Sources for New York 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 testers that work like vending machines.