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Which States are Ranked Best and Worst for Drunk Driving?

A map of the United States highlights the top 5 worst states for drunk driving: Wyoming, North Dakota, Montana, South Carolina, and Mississippi.

During the holidays, drunk driving-related deaths often spike – with New Year’s Day being the most dangerous holiday for motorists, according to a report from MoneyGeek.com. On January 1, drunk driving-related deaths are estimated to increase 116% above the baseline average.

Top 5 Worst States for Drunk Driving

With the holidays in full swing, let’s take a look at a recent report from Forbes confirming the best and worst states ranked according to drunk driving rates. We’ll also provide information on what types of damages may be secured if you’ve been injured in California car accident and offer details on how to arrange for a free consultation with an experienced personal injury attorney from Dordulian Law Group.

Forbes State-by-State Drunk Driving Report

In a survey, Forbes asked drivers about their greatest worries over the holidays. More than half of drivers (54%) said they’re concerned about getting into an accident when traveling on holidays, and 76% said they were worried about the possibility of other people drinking and then driving at holiday parties.

“For those worried about driving during the holidays, intoxicated motorists leaving holiday parties topped the list. Our survey found that 38% of drivers say they’ve seen friends and family drive drunk after a holiday party,” Forbes said.

When researching which states had the highest and lowest rates of drunk driving, Forbes examined data from across the nation using six metrics:

  1. Number of drunk drivers involved in fatal crashes per 100,000 licensed drivers (representing 20% of overall score): Data on the number of drunk drivers involved in fatal crashes came from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the number of licensed drivers by state came from the Department of Transportation. For this scoring factor, Forbes took a five-year average using data from 2016 to 2020.
  2. Number of DUI arrests per 100,000 licensed drivers (representing 20% of overall score) Data for this metric came from the FBI. For this scoring factor, Forbes took a five-year average using data from 2017 to 2021.
  3. Number of people killed in crashes involving a drunk driver per 100,000 state residents (representing 15% of overall score): Data on the number of people killed in crashes involving a drunk driver came from the NHTSA, and state population data came from the U.S. Census. For this scoring factor, Forbes took a five-year average, using data from 2016 to 2020.
  4. Percent of total traffic deaths that were caused by drivers with a BAC of 0.01-0.07 (representing 10% of overall score): Data for this metric came from the NHTSA and is from 2020.
  5. Percent of total traffic deaths that were caused by drivers with a BAC of 0.08 or higher (representing 20% of overall score): Data for this metric came from the NHTSA and is from 2020.
  6. Number of drunk drivers under age 21 involved in fatal crashes per 100,000 licensed drivers (representing 15% of overall score): Data on the number of drunk drivers under 21 involved in fatal crashes came from the NHTSA’s Fatality and Injury Reporting System Tool (FIRST), and the number of licensed drivers by states came from the Department of Transportation. For this scoring factor, Forbes took a five-year average using data from 2016 to 2020.

Top 5 States With the Most Drunk Drivers

#1 – Montana: The Big Sky Country state received a 100/100 score from Forbes, with the following statistics confirmed:

  • 8.39 drunk drivers were involved in a fatal crash for every 100,000 licensed drivers.
  • 6.92 people were killed in a crash involving a drunk driver for every 100,000 state residents.
  • Both of those figures are the highest in the country among all 50 states.
  • Nearly half of Montana traffic deaths (45%) in 2020 were caused by drunk drivers (also ranked highest).
  • The state had the second-highest number of drunk drivers under 21 involved in fatal crashes (0.9 per 100,000 licensed drivers), behind only Texas.
  • Montana had the 10th highest DUI arrests per 100,000 licensed drivers (478.26).
  • Forbes’ survey revealed that Montana drivers tied with New Mexico for being the 11th most likely to say they’ve seen a friend or family member appear intoxicated and drive home from a holiday party (43%).

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#1 – Montana: The Big Sky Country state received a 100/100 score from Forbes, with the following statistics confirmed:

  • 8.39 drunk drivers were involved in a fatal crash for every 100,000 licensed drivers.
  • 6.92 people were killed in a crash involving a drunk driver for every 100,000 state residents.
  • Both of those figures are the highest in the country among all 50 states.
  • Nearly half of Montana traffic deaths (45%) in 2020 were caused by drunk drivers (also ranked highest).
  • The state had the second-highest number of drunk drivers under 21 involved in fatal crashes (0.9 per 100,000 licensed drivers), behind only Texas.
  • Montana had the 10th highest DUI arrests per 100,000 licensed drivers (478.26).
  • Forbes’ survey revealed that Montana drivers tied with New Mexico for being the 11th most likely to say they’ve seen a friend or family member appear intoxicated and drive home from a holiday party (43%).

#2 – Wyoming: Wyoming received a 93.38/100 score from Forbes, with the following statistics confirmed:

  • Wyoming had eight drunk drivers involved in a fatal crash for every 100,000 licensed drivers (the third highest), and 6.67 people were killed in a crash involving a drunk driver for every 100,000 state residents (the second highest, behind only Montana).
  • Wyoming saw the third-highest DUI arrests per 100,000 licensed drivers (682.48), behind South Dakota and North Dakota.
  • The Cowboy State had the sixth-highest number of drunk drivers under age 21 involved in fatal crashes (0.61 per 100,000 licensed drivers).
  • According to Forbes’ survey, Wyoming drivers tied with drivers from Indiana, North Dakota, and Oklahoma for being 15th most likely in the nation to report that they’ve witnessed an intoxicated friend or family member drive home from a holiday party (41%).

#3 – Texas: The Lone Star State received a 90.13/100 score from Forbes, with the following statistics confirmed:

  • Texas saw the highest number of drunk drivers under age 21 involved in fatal crashes (0.92 per 100,000 licensed drivers).
  • Slightly more than eight drunk drivers for every 100,000 licensed drivers in the Lone Star State were involved in fatal crashes (the second-highest amount, behind only Montana). And 4.91 people were killed in crashes involving a drunk driver for every 100,000 state residents (the eighth highest amount).
  • Nearly 40% of traffic deaths in Texas in 2020 were caused by a drunk driver, ranking fifth highest.
  • About one-third of Texas drivers (34%) said they’ve witnessed friends or family members who appear intoxicated drive home from a holiday party.

#4 – North Dakota: North Dakota received an 89.05/100 score from Forbes, with the following statistics confirmed:

  • North Dakota had the second-highest DUI arrests (918.32 per 100,000 licensed drivers), which was only behind South Dakota.
  • The state had the fifth-highest number of drunk drivers under age 21 involved in fatal crashes (0.67 per 100,000 licensed drivers), and 5.21 people were killed in crashes involving a drunk driver for every 100,000 state residents (the seventh highest).
  • More than one-third of traffic deaths in North Dakota (35%) in 2020 were caused by drunk drivers, which ranked 10th highest, tied with South Dakota.
  • About 40% of North Dakota drivers say they have seen a friend or family member who appeared intoxicated drive home from a holiday party.

#5 – South Dakota: South Dakota received an 83.03/100 score from Forbes, with the following statistics confirmed:

  • South Dakota had the highest DUI arrests per 100,000 licensed drivers (965.85).
  • The Mount Rushmore State had the sixth-highest number of drunk drivers under age 21 involved in fatal crashes (0.61 per 100,000 licensed drivers), tied with Wyoming.
  • More than half of South Dakota drivers (52%) have witnessed a friend or family member who appeared intoxicated drive home from a holiday party. That’s the highest in the nation.

Top 5 States/District With the Fewest Drunk Drivers

#51 – District of Columbia: The District of Columbia managed to secure a 0/100 score from Forbes, with the following statistics confirmed:

  • The District of Columbia has some of the lowest rates of drunk driving crashes, DUI arrests, and people killed in drunk driving accidents in the nation.
  • Only 1.84 drunk drivers were involved in fatal crashes for every 100,000 licensed drivers in the District of Columbia. There were 1.69 DUI arrests for every 100,000 licensed drivers. Both of these results are the lowest in the nation.
  • In 2020, 19% of traffic deaths in D.C. were caused by drunk drivers. That’s the lowest percentage.
  • The District of Columbia tied with New Jersey for the lowest number of people killed in crashes involving a drunk driver (1.43 people killed for every 100,000 state residents).
  • On average, 0.08 drunk drivers under age 21 were involved in fatal crashes for every 100,000 licensed drivers in D.C. That’s the second lowest.

#50 – New Jersey: The Garden State received a 5.54/100 score from Forbes, with the following statistics confirmed:

  • New Jersey tied with the District of Columbia for the fewest people killed in crashes involving a drunk driver (1.43 people killed for every 100,000 state residents).
  • Only 2.04 drunk drivers in New Jersey were involved in fatal crashes for every 100,000 licensed drivers, the second lowest.
  • The Garden State had the third-lowest number of drunk drivers under age 21 involved in fatal crashes for every 100,000 licensed drivers (0.16), behind only Vermont and the District of Columbia.
  • In 2020, 26% of traffic deaths in New Jersey were caused by drunk drivers, the 10th lowest amount in the nation.
  • New Jersey drivers tied with motorists from Utah, Nebraska and Florida for being eighth least likely to have witnessed a friend or family member who appeared intoxicated drive home from a holiday party (32%).

#49 – Utah: The Beehive State received a 6.86/100 score from Forbes, with the following statistics confirmed:

  • About one in five 2020 traffic deaths in Utah were caused by a driver with a blood alcohol concentration of over 0.08 (the legal limit), the second lowest only to the District of Columbia. Also, 4% of traffic deaths were caused by a driver with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.01 to 0.07, tied for the fourth lowest.
  • Utah had the fourth-lowest number of drunk drivers involved in fatal crashes per 100,000 licensed drivers (2.27) and the fourth-lowest number of people killed in crashes involving a drunk driver per 100,000 state residents (1.58).
  • The state tied for the eighth lowest for drunk drivers under age 21 involved in fatal crashes per 100,000 licensed drivers (0.25).
  • About one-third of Utah drivers (32%) have seen a friend or family member who appeared intoxicated drive home from a holiday party. That’s tied for the eighth lowest.

#48 – Delaware: Delaware received a 6.98/100 score from Forbes, with the following statistics confirmed:

  • In 2020, 23% of traffic deaths in Delaware were caused by drivers with a blood alcohol concentration of more than 0.08 (tied for the fifth lowest), and 3% of traffic deaths were caused by drivers with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.01 to 0.07 (tied for lowest with Kansas and Mississippi).
  • Delaware had the third-lowest DUI arrests per 100,000 licensed drivers on average (44.48).
  • Delaware drivers tied with Maryland and South Carolina for being third least likely to report witnessing a friend or family member who appeared intoxicated drive home from a holiday party (30%).

#47 – New York: The Empire State received a 9.99/100 score from Forbes, with the following statistics confirmed:

  • New York had the third-lowest number of people killed in crashes involving a drunk driver (1.46 people killed per 100,000 state residents), behind only New Jersey and the District of Columbia.
  • New York ranked fourth lowest for the number of drunk drivers under age 21 involved in fatal crashes per 100,000 licensed drivers (0.19) and fifth lowest for the number of drunk drivers involved in fatal crashes per 100,000 licensed drivers (2.31).
  • New York had the seventh-lowest DUI arrests per 100,000 licensed drivers (161.22).
  • New York drivers were the least likely to report witnessing a friend or family member who appeared intoxicated driving home from a holiday party (26%).

Additionally, California ranked 32 on Forbes’ list of best and worst drunk driving states, obtaining a score of 42.24/100.

How is Driving Under the Influence Defined in California Law?

California law stipulates that the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit varies depending on whether you’re an individual or commercial driver. Under California law:

  • An individual driver can be charged with driving under the influence (DUI) with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 percent or higher.
  • A commercial driver can be charged with driving under the influence (DUI) with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.04 percent or higher.

However, drivers should keep in mind that there is a zero tolerance law in California for anyone under the age of 21. As a result, if any amount of alcohol is detected in the blood system of an underage driver, he or she can be charged with driving under the influence (DUI).
In addition, operating a motor vehicle of any kind (car, truck, motorcycle, scooter, etc.) while under the influence of illegal drugs, prescription medications, or over-the-counter medications is also illegal in California.

What Damages Can Be Recovered in a DUI Car Accident Injury Claim?

Car accidents can leave motorists with serious injuries requiring long-term medical care. A car accident can have a devastating impact on one’s quality of life, and when negligence such as driving under the influence is involved, a civil lawsuit can be a means of recovering much-needed damages:

  • Lost wages
  • Diminished future earning capacity
  • Hospital bills
  • Medical care costs – past and future
  • Physical therapy costs – past and future
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional or psychological harm
  • Punitive damages
  • Reduced quality of life

In California, a personal injury civil lawsuit is typically bound to a two-year statute of limitations. This means that you usually have two years from the date of a car accident involving negligence to file your claim.

However, it is strongly recommended that injured car accident victims file their claims as soon as possible after receiving medical treatment. Doing so can help ensure that you recover the maximum financial compensation you deserve for your car accident injury case.

Contact the Best Los Angeles Car Accident Lawyers Today

Dordulian Law Group (DLG) is a full-service California personal injury firm handling all types of claims – car accidents, Uber/Lyft accidents, pedestrian accidents, dog bites, slip and falls, medical malpractice, etc.

Ready to file a claim and pursue justice through a financial damages award? Our expert attorneys are available online or by phone now.

Our dedicated Los Angeles personal injury and car accident attorneys have helped injured victims like you recover over $200,000,000.00 in settlements and verdicts while continuing to maintain a 98% winning record. We’re here to fight aggressively on your behalf to secure maximum financial compensation after you’ve been injured due to someone’s negligence.

Contact us today at 866-GO-SEE-SAM to arrange for a free and confidential consultation about your DUI or car accident injury claim.

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Sam Dordulian, founder

Sam Dordulian is an award-winning sexual abuse lawyer with over 25 years’ experience helping survivors secure justice. As a former sex crimes prosecutor and Deputy District Attorney for L.A. County, he secured life sentences against countless sexual predators. Mr. Dordulian currently serves on the National Leadership Council for RAINN.
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