|
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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