Highest DUI Related Deaths in U.S.

States Ranked in "Fatal Fifteen"

Chicago, IL - A recent report identified the 15 most dangerous states based on alcohol-related deaths. The report was published by End Needless Death on Our Roadways (END), a group of doctors and medical professionals dedicated to using new strategies to lessen dangerous driving.

They announced the "Fatal Fifteen"-states in which 41% or more of traffic-related casualties are caused by alcohol-related incidents. The "Fatal Fifteen" in rank order are Washington D.C., Hawaii, Rhode Island, Montana, Delaware, Alaska, North Dakota, Washington, Wisconsin, Texas, Connecticut, South Dakota, Illinois, South Carolina and Arizona.

The report reveals that ten states of the "Fatal Fifteen" have made the list ten years straight. Dr. Andrea Barthwell, Co-Chairperson of END and former Deputy Director for Demand Reduction the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy states, "We urge leaders in these states and around the country to dedicate themselves to exploring new and innovative strategies for addressing impaired and other dangerous driving behaviors."

The report also stresses the need for alcohol-related accident deaths to decrease, especially around the time of the holidays. Barthwell explains, "While the holiday season is a time for excitement, celebration and family, it is also a time of impaired driving and senseless death and injury."

Victims numbering 17,000 were killed in the country last year and 4,300 of those deaths occurred in the "Fatal Fifteen" states.

Stricter drunk driving laws and a more public support has lowered the number of drunk driving deaths, however in the last few years the death rate has plateaued, and END finds these rates to be unacceptable.

The report proposes solutions via the medical profession in particular. Outreach, education programs, and interventions could inform patients with alcohol problems of the negative consequences of their alcohol consumption. Further usage of interlock systems, which require impaired drivers to measure their blood alcohol level, could also address the problem. END also suggests that states consider implementing initiatives and strategies that have proven effective in other states.

View the full "Fatal Fifteen" release from END (pdf download).

November 30, 2006

Posted Friday, March 23, 2007
Filed in Fatalities & Accidents | Statistics | Permalink | Comments (2)

The Statistics are LIES!

Posted by Philip at 2008-02-28 20:43

Every article parrots the NHTSA statistics for "alcohol related traffic fatalities" as justification for the Neo-Prohibitionist movement that touts the need for tougher laws and punishment for the pre-cog "crime" of DUI. While I don't discount the tragedy that falls upon a family that loses a loved one, it is rarely the proximate cause of impairment by alcohol. Unfortunately, the masses have been conditioned by 30 years of propaganda, to accept without question statistics presented by the government in concert with MADD.

However, the government publications acknowledge the following:
" A motor vehicle crash is considered to be alcohol-related if at least one driver or nonoccupant (such as a pedestrian or pedalcyclist) involved in the crash is determined to have had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .01 gram per deciliter (g/dL) or higher. Thus, any fatality that occurs in an alcohol-related crash is considered an alcohol-related fatality. The term “alcohol-related” does not indicate that a crash or fatality was caused by the presence of alcohol."

So, the conclusion you draw when you see the term "alcohol related traffic fatality" is that a person died because of a "drunk driver." But this is absolutely FALSE! A point .01% BAC means NOTHING, but is included. A passenger, who had NOTHING TO DO WITH THE ACCIDENT, having alcohol in their system (i.e., someone being driven home by the designated driver) is lumped in.

The travesty is that people don't question, they simply go along. As a result, our constitution is eroded with increasing support as we chase the boogeyman of DUI. 1.4 millsion arrests for DUI nationwide. This isn't about crime, it's about power and money. MADD has power, gets money and so does the government. Lives are ruined, but the vast majority of ruined lives are those dragged through the system for this largely FALSE "crime."

Target the REAL problem: High BAC drivers. If you are .15%, you shouldn't be driving. .08%? That is just a scam. WAKE UP AMERICA!

The statistics are lies

Posted by Hannah at 2008-03-04 08:56

I agree with Phillip, esp. after dealing with the b.s. of living in Japan for a year where there isn't even such a thing as B.A.C. If you've had 1 beer with lunch and attempt to drive after dinner that night you're screwed. If there is ANY alcohol in your blood whatsoever you are considered "drunk" (the entire Japanese populace is brain-washed into spouting this back out as well) and carted off, fined about $3000USD and your license is permanently revoked. At least there's a tad bit of sanity regarding intoxication vs. drunkenness in the states. Basically I think there just needs to be more standardized public transportation and we wouldn't have to worry about all this hairsplitting b.s.