Drunk Driving Fatalities Drop in USA

Alcohol related deaths down 7%

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced that national DUI fatality rates dropped by 7% from 2007 to 2008 (the last complete year of data). LaHood cited aggressive drunk driving crackdowns by law enforcement groups for the drop. Safety research organizations also say the publicity surrounding drunk driving has also deterred many from drinking to excess and operating a motorized vehicle.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said the drop continues a decade long trend. Since national organizations actively began addressing the issue of driving under the influence, the number of DUI related deaths is down 44%, from 21,113 in 1982 to 11,773 in 2008.

The largest decline in alcohol related traffic fatalities occurred in Vermont, which say a 45% drop. Other big drops were recorded in Wisconsin and Maine (-32%), Nebraska (-28%), Connecticut and Minnesota (-23%), South Dakota (-22%) and Arizona (-20%). In the larger populated states, California DUI deaths were down 9% from 1,132 to 1.029 and Texas DWI fatalities were down 2% from 1,333 to 1,269.

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