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Rhode Island Drunk Driving Statistics

In Rhode Island, the most alcohol-related deaths were reported in 1982, with 71, which represents 67% of the total traffic fatalities that year. The number reached its lowest point in 1995, with 28 reported. There has been no improvement in the number of alcohol related fatalities since then. The percentage of traffic fatalities that were alcohol related went from a high of 67% in 1982, to a low of 41% in 1995 and 1999. In the most recent year reported, out of all traffic fatalities, 36% involved a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 or higher, down from 61% in 1982.

Year
Fatalities
Tot
Alc-Rel
%
0.08+
%
1982
105
71
67
65
61
1983
100
60
60
53
53
1984
79
52
66
41
52
1985
109
57
52
51
47
1986
124
79
64
67
54
1987
113
56
49
52
46
1988
125
69
55
58
47
1989
100
49
49
45
45
1990
84
51
61
45
53
1991
88
45
51
36
41
1992
79
43
54
39
50
1993
74
40
54
35
48
1994
63
31
49
23
37
1995
69
28
41
26
38
1996
69
33
48
26
38
1997
75
41
55
36
48
1998
74
36
49
27
37
1999
88
36
41
28
32
2000
80
41
52
37
46
2001
81
48
59
38
47
2002
84
46
55
37
44
2003
104
57
55
52
50
2004
83
42
50
41
49
2005
87
43
50
34
39
2006
81
37
46
29
36

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

Drunk driving or alcohol-related fatality stats for Rhode Island

It is important to note that the Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island

In Rhode Island, non-injury DUI offenses are misdemeanors, DUI with serious bodily injuries are felonies. Citation:§§ 11-1-2 & 31-27-2.6 (2)

Sources for Rhode Island 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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