Pennsylvania's alcohol-related fatalities were highest in 1982, with 1,048, dropped for a few years and then increased to nearly the same level in both 1986 and 1987. The percentage of traffic fatalities that were alcohol related was also highest in 1982, with 58%, and steadily dropped, reaching its lowest level in 2006, with 37%. In the most recent year reported, out of all traffic fatalities, 32% involved a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 or higher, down from 52% in 1982.

Year	Fatalities
	Tot	Alc-Rel	%	0.08+	%
1982	1,819	1,048	58	942	52
1983	1,721	980	57	898	52
1984	1,727	934	54	840	49
1985	1,771	961	54	857	48
1986	1,894	1,042	55	923	49
1987	1,987	1,042	52	939	47
1988	1,931	935	48	844	44
1989	1,877	981	52	882	47
1990	1,646	846	51	752	46
1991	1,661	807	49	720	43
1992	1,545	729	47	644	42
1993	1,529	700	46	628	41
1994	1,441	612	42	541	38
1995	1,480	619	42	546	37
1996	1,469	588	40	532	36
1997	1,557	626	40	562	36
1998	1,481	642	43	573	39
1999	1,549	618	40	538	35
2000	1,520	647	43	582	38
2001	1,532	646	42	566	37
2002	1,614	649	40	556	34
2003	1,577	618	39	542	34
2004	1,490	614	41	541	36
2005	1,616	636	39	559	35
2006	1,517	556	37	487	32

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

All 50 states in the US now apply two statutory offenses to driving 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 [a motor vehicle] 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.

Criminal status of DUI laws in Pennsylvania

In Pennsylvania, 1st or 2nd offenses are 2nd degree misdemeanors, 3rd or subsequent offenses are 1st degree misdemeanors. Citation:18 § 1104(1) & (2) &
75 §3731(e)(1) ⁽²⁾

Sources for Pennsylvania 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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