Year | Fatalities | ||||
Tot | Alc-Rel | % | 0.08+ | % | |
1982 | 4,615 | 2,799 | 61 | 2,484 | 54 |
1983 | 4,573 | 2,669 | 58 | 2,345 | 51 |
1984 | 5,020 | 2,894 | 58 | 2,522 | 50 |
1985 | 4,960 | 2,633 | 53 | 2,262 | 46 |
1986 | 5,253 | 2,813 | 54 | 2,370 | 45 |
1987 | 5,504 | 2,961 | 54 | 2,459 | 45 |
1988 | 5,392 | 2,773 | 51 | 2,354 | 44 |
1989 | 5,412 | 2,795 | 52 | 2,421 | 45 |
1990 | 5,192 | 2,697 | 52 | 2,305 | 44 |
1991 | 4,688 | 2,263 | 48 | 1,946 | 42 |
1992 | 4,192 | 2,015 | 48 | 1,687 | 40 |
1993 | 4,164 | 1,815 | 44 | 1,534 | 37 |
1994 | 4,232 | 1,743 | 41 | 1,468 | 35 |
1995 | 4,192 | 1,758 | 42 | 1,445 | 34 |
1996 | 3,989 | 1,666 | 42 | 1,368 | 34 |
1997 | 3,688 | 1,348 | 37 | 1,113 | 30 |
1998 | 3,494 | 1,367 | 39 | 1,133 | 32 |
1999 | 3,559 | 1,397 | 39 | 1,163 | 33 |
2000 | 3,753 | 1,450 | 39 | 1,199 | 32 |
2001 | 3,956 | 1,552 | 39 | 1,255 | 32 |
2002 | 4,088 | 1,628 | 40 | 1,326 | 32 |
2003 | 4,215 | 1,626 | 39 | 1,378 | 33 |
2004 | 4,120 | 1,643 | 40 | 1,367 | 33 |
2005 | 4,329 | 1,719 | 40 | 1,466 | 34 |
2006 | 4,229 | 1,509 | 36 | 1,276 | 30 |
2007 | 3,974 | 1,405 | 35 | 1,155 | 29 |
2008 | 3,434 | 1,198 | 35 | 1,029 | 30 |
2009 | 3,081 | 1,118 | 36 | 950 | 31 |
2010 | 2715 | 924 | 34 | 791 | 29 |
2011 | 2791 | 886 | 32 | 774 | 28 |
2012 | 2857 | 936 | 33 | 802 | 28 |
2013 | 3000 | 1025 | 34 | 867 | 29 |
2014 | 3074 | 1053 | 34 | 882 | 29 |
The table above shows the total number of traffic fatalities (Tot) for California, 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 California 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.
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.
Criminal status of DUI laws in California
In California, non-injury DUI offenses are generally misdemeanors, a 4th or subsequent offense is a felony if offender is sentenced to incarceration in a state prison – Vehicle Code ??23152, 23550, & 40000.15 (2)
Sources for California drunk driving information and statistics
US Dept. of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 12/02
(2) National Conference of State Legislatures, 2004
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