Every day, over 37 people die due to drunk driving in America. This accounts for 32% of all traffic fatalities. This disturbing statistic underscores the nation’s ongoing battle with alcohol-impaired driving.
On a national scale, 4.02 individuals per 100,000 residents are killed in drunk-driving accidents. Additionally, 5.56 drunk drivers per 100,000 licensed drivers are involved in fatal crashes.
Among the states, some fare worse than others. South Carolina tops the list with alarming figures. Texas and New Mexico follow closely behind.
Our study uses the latest National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) data and examines the worst states for drunk driving in 2024. We start with an in-depth look at the most affected states to better understand the scale and severity of this issue.
Key Finding
- Over 13,500 lives were lost to drunk driving in 2022, and 32% of all traffic fatalities nationwide involved alcohol.
- The top 3 worst states: South Carolina (43%), Texas (42%), and New Mexico (33%) – all have drunk driving fatality rates significantly exceeding the national average
- Southern states are overrepresented in the worst 10. Beyond South Carolina, the list includes Texas, New Mexico, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama, indicating a serious problem in this region.
- Northeastern states, including Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, consistently rank among the states with the lowest drunk driving rates. This positive trend may reflect factors like greater access to public transportation and stricter DUI laws.
Worst States for Drunk Driving (Map)
Ranking the Worst States for Drunk Driving (Table)
Top 10 Worst States For Drunk Driving
#1. South Carolina:
Score 100 out of 100
South Carolina tops the list as the worst state for drunk driving in 2024. Nearly half of the fatal crashes in South Carolina involve alcohol. Here are the key findings:
- Fatality Rate: Drunk drivers are responsible for 43% of all traffic deaths in South Carolina. This is much higher than the national average of 32%.
- Drunk Driving Deaths: 8.82 people per 100,000 residents are killed in drunk-driving accidents in the state. This is more than double the national average of 4.02.
- Drunk Driver Involvement: For every 100,000 licensed drivers, 11.55 are involved in fatal drunk-driving crashes. The national average is 5.56.
These figures clearly show why South Carolina is considered the most dangerous state for drunk driving in America.
#2. Texas:
Score 83.65 out of 100
Texas holds the unfortunate position as the second-worst state for drunk driving in the US. Here's a closer look at why:
- Fatality Rate: Over 42% of traffic fatalities in Texas involve drunk drivers. This is significantly higher than the national average (32%).
- Drunk Driving Deaths: Texas sees a concerning rate of alcohol-impaired traffic deaths at 6.13 per 100,000 residents. This is considerably higher than the national average.
- Drunk Driver Involvement: Even more alarming is the number of drunk drivers involved in fatal crashes. Texas has a rate of 10.08 drunk drivers involved per 100,000 licensed drivers. This is nearly double the national average.
These statistics paint a worrying picture. Compared to the rest of the country, Texans have a much higher chance of being involved in a fatal crash caused by a drunk driver.
#3. New Mexico:
Score 80.77 out of 100
New Mexico was found to be the third-worst state for drunk driving in the US. Here's why:
- Fatality Rate: In New Mexico, 33% of all traffic deaths are due to drunk drivers. This is slightly above the national average of 32%.
- Drunk Driving Deaths: The state sees 7.19 drunk-driving deaths per 100,000 residents, which is significantly higher than the national average of 4.02.
- Drunk Driver Involvement: There are 9.55 drunk drivers involved in fatal crashes per 100,000 licensed drivers in New Mexico, compared to the national average of 5.56.
#4. Wyoming:
Score 74.39 out of 100
Wyoming ranks fourth in the list of states with the worst drunk driving problems in 2024. Here are the key findings:
- Fatality Rate: In Wyoming, 30% of all traffic deaths involve drunk drivers, which is slightly below the national average of 32%.
- Drunk Driving Deaths: The state sees 6.85 drunk-driving deaths per 100,000 residents, which is higher than the national average of 4.02.
- Drunk Driver Involvement: There are 8.60 drunk drivers involved in fatal crashes per 100,000 licensed drivers in Wyoming. This number is higher than the national average of 5.56.
#5. Montana:
Score 71.72 out of 100
Montana was revealed as the fifth-worst state in our study for drunk driving.
- Fatality Rate: 34% of all traffic-related deaths in Montana involve alcohol, a number that's significantly higher than the national average of 32%. This means that over 1 in 3 traffic deaths in the state are linked to drunk driving.
- Drunk Driving Deaths: 6.27 out of every 100,000 Montana residents die in drunk driving crashes, a rate considerably above the national average.
- Drunk Driver Involvement: Montana sees 7.82 drunk drivers involved in fatal accidents for every 100,000 licensed drivers, once again surpassing the national average.
#6. Arizona:
Score 70.31 out of 100
Arizona ranks as the sixth worst state for drunk driving. The state's warm climate and sprawling urban areas might contribute to more people being out on the roads, but unfortunately, it also means a higher likelihood of encountering drunk drivers.
- Fatality Rate: 35% of all traffic deaths in Arizona involve alcohol, exceeding the national average of 32%. This means over a third of the lives lost on Arizona's roads each year are due to drunk driving.
- Drunk Driving Deaths: Looking at fatalities per capita, 6.06 out of every 100,000 Arizona residents die in drunk driving accidents, a rate that's tragically higher than the national average.
- Drunk Driver Involvement: Additionally, for every 100,000 licensed drivers in Arizona, 7.49 find themselves involved in fatal drunk driving accidents. This number once again surpasses the national average.
#7. Oregon:
Score 70.25 out of 100
Oregon, a state known for its natural beauty, unfortunately, also grapples with a serious drunk driving problem, ranking as the seventh worst in the nation.
- Fatality Rate: A concerning 39% of Oregon traffic fatalities involve alcohol, a figure that overshadows the national average of 32%. This means that nearly 2 out of 5 lives lost on Oregon roads are a direct result of drunk driving.
- Drunk Driving Deaths: In Oregon, 5.48 out of every 100,000 residents die in crashes involving alcohol, exceeding the national average.
- Drunk Driver Involvement: Adding to the concern, 7.46 out of every 100,000 licensed drivers in Oregon are involved in fatal drunk driving accidents, exceeding the national rate.
#8. Louisiana:
Score 65.11 out of 100
Louisiana lands in eighth place on our list of worst states for drunk driving, a somber reminder that this issue affects all parts of the country.
- Fatality Rate: 29% of all traffic fatalities in Louisiana involve drunk drivers. While this number is slightly better than the national average of 32%, it still represents a significant portion of preventable deaths on Louisiana roads.
- Drunk Driving Deaths: The human cost of drunk driving in Louisiana is evident in the fact that 5.84 out of every 100,000 residents lose their lives in alcohol-related crashes. This rate is noticeably higher than the national average.
- Drunk Driver Involvement: 7.24 out of every 100,000 licensed drivers in Louisiana are involved in fatal drunk driving crashes. This rate exceeds the national average.
#9. Mississippi:
Score 63.55 out of 100
Mississippi comes in as the ninth worst state for drunk driving in our study. The statistics reveal a pressing need to address impaired driving on the state's roads.
- Fatality Rate: 24% of all traffic fatalities in Mississippi are linked to alcohol. While this is lower than the national average, it still represents a significant number of preventable deaths.
- Drunk Driving Deaths: 5.71 out of every 100,000 Mississippi residents will lose their lives in drunk driving crashes. This rate is unfortunately higher than the national average.
- Drunk Driver Involvement: The state also sees 7.77 out of every 100,000 licensed drivers involved in fatal accidents involving alcohol. This number surpasses the national average.
#10. Alabama:
Score 60.96 out of 100
Alabama rounds out the top ten worst states for drunk driving.
- Fatality Rate: 28% of all traffic fatalities in Alabama are linked to alcohol. While this is slightly lower than the national average of 32%, it still represents a significant number of preventable tragedies each year.
- Drunk Driving Deaths: Adding to the concern, 5.50 out of every 100,000 Alabama residents tragically lose their lives in drunk driving crashes. This number exceeds the national average, highlighting a serious public safety concern.
- Drunk Driver Involvement: A concerning 6.60 out of every 100,000 licensed drivers in Alabama will be involved in fatal drunk driving accidents. This surpasses the national rate and underscores the prevalence of impaired driving on the state's roads.
10 States with the Least Drunk Driving Problems
#50 Utah:
Score 31.39 out of 100
- Fatality Rate: 22% of traffic fatalities in Utah involve alcohol, notably lower than the national average of 32%.
- Drunk Driving Deaths: 2.08 out of every 100,000 Utah residents die in drunk-driving accidents.
- Drunk Driver Involvement: 2.99 out of every 100,000 licensed drivers are involved in fatal drunk-driving crashes.
#49. New Jersey:
Score 31.79 out of 100
- Fatality Rate: 26% of traffic fatalities in New Jersey involve alcohol.
- Drunk Driving Deaths: 1.91 out of every 100,000 residents die in drunk driving accidents.
- Drunk Driver Involvement: 2.63 out of every 100,000 licensed drivers are involved in fatal drunk-driving crashes.
#48. Massachusetts:
Score 31.80 out of 100
- Fatality Rate: 28% of traffic fatalities in Massachusetts involve alcohol.
- Drunk Driving Deaths: 1.76 out of every 100,000 residents die in drunk driving accidents.
- Drunk Driver Involvement: 2.47 out of every 100,000 licensed drivers are involved in fatal drunk-driving crashes.
#47. Minnesota:
Score 36.22 out of 100
- Fatality Rate: 29% of traffic fatalities in Minnesota involve alcohol.
- Drunk Driving Deaths: 2.27 out of every 100,000 Minnesota residents die in drunk driving accidents.
- Drunk Driver Involvement: 2.99 out of every 100,000 licensed drivers are involved in fatal drunk-driving crashes.
#46. New York:
Score 36.68 out of 100
- Fatality Rate: 32% of traffic fatalities in New York involve alcohol.
- Drunk Driving Deaths: 1.90 out of every 100,000 New York residents die in drunk driving accidents.
- Drunk Driver Involvement: 3.05 out of every 100,000 licensed drivers are involved in fatal drunk-driving crashes.
#45. Alaska:
Score 36.78 out of 100
- Fatality Rate: 24% of traffic fatalities in Alaska involve alcohol.
- Drunk Driving Deaths: 2.73 out of every 100,000 Alaska residents die in drunk-driving accidents.
- Drunk Driver Involvement: 3.47 out of every 100,000 licensed drivers are involved in fatal drunk-driving crashes.
#44. Pennsylvania:
Score 39.31 out of 100
- Fatality Rate: 29% of traffic fatalities in Pennsylvania involve alcohol.
- Drunk Driving Deaths: 2.61 out of every 100,000 Pennsylvania residents die in drunk driving accidents.
- Drunk Driver Involvement: 3.50 out of every 100,000 licensed drivers are involved in fatal drunk-driving crashes.
#43. Michigan:
Score 40.64 out of 100
- Fatality Rate: 27% of traffic fatalities in Michigan involve alcohol.
- Drunk Driving Deaths: 3.04 out of every 100,000 Michigan residents die in drunk driving accidents.
- Drunk Driver Involvement: 3.72 out of every 100,000 licensed drivers are involved in fatal drunk-driving crashes.
#42. Wisconsin:
Score 41.03 out of 100
- Fatality Rate: 29% of traffic fatalities in Wisconsin involve alcohol.
- Drunk Driving Deaths: 2.89 out of every 100,000 Wisconsin residents die in drunk driving accidents.
- Drunk Driver Involvement: 3.66 out of every 100,000 licensed drivers are involved in fatal drunk-driving crashes.
#41. Hawaii:
Score 41.47 out of 100
- Fatality Rate: 31% of traffic fatalities in Hawaii involve alcohol.
- Drunk Driving Deaths: 2.58 out of every 100,000 Hawaii residents die in drunk driving accidents.
- Drunk Driver Involvement: 3.81 out of every 100,000 licensed drivers are involved in fatal drunk driving crashes.
Methodology
This study aimed to identify and rank the worst states for drunk driving in the United States in 2024. To do so, we analyzed publicly available data from 2022 (the latest available as of June 2024) across three key metrics, creating a comprehensive score for each state.
Data Sources:
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA): Our primary data source, providing information on drunk-driving fatalities, drunk-driver involvement in fatal crashes, and the percentage of traffic deaths involving alcohol. We used the least available data in 2022.
- U.S. Census Bureau: Provided 2022 state population data.
- Statista: Provided data on the total number of licensed drivers in each state in 2021.
Metrics and Weighting:
We calculated a weighted score for each state based on the following three metrics:
Number of drunk drivers involved in fatal accidents per 100,000 licensed drivers (40% of score): This metric reflects the prevalence of drunk driving on the roads.
Number of people killed in crashes involving a drunk driver per 100,000 state residents (35% of score): This metric captures the human cost of drunk driving.
Percent of total traffic deaths caused by drivers with a BAC of 0.08 or higher (25% of score): This metric measures the severity of drunk driving's impact on traffic fatalities.
Ranking:
Each state received a weighted score out of 100 based on its performance across the three metrics. The states were then ranked from worst to best based on their overall score.