9. New Mexico
Drunk drivers involved in fatal crashes (per 100,000 drivers): 7.37
Drunk-driving fatalities (per 100,000 inhabitants): 5.67
Traffic fatalities due to drinking and driving as a percentage of total traffic fatalities (2020): 32.7%
DUI arrests (per 100,000 licensed drivers): 260.59
(Image credit: Paul Brady Photography/Shutterstock.com)
8. Maine
Drunk drivers involved in fatal crashes (per 100,000 drivers): 4.79
Drunk-driving fatalities (per 100,000 inhabitants): 3.38
Traffic fatalities due to drinking and driving as a percentage of total traffic fatalities (2020): 39%
DUI arrests (per 100,000 licensed drivers): 486.75
(Image credit: Sean Pavone/Shutterstock)
7. South Carolina
Drunk drivers involved in fatal crashes (per 100,000 drivers): 7.41
Drunk-driving fatalities (per 100,000 inhabitants): 5.89
Traffic fatalities due to drinking and driving as a percentage of total traffic fatalities (2020): 29.6%
DUI arrests (per 100,000 licensed drivers): 289.6
(Image credit: Sean Pavone/Shutterstock)
6. Oregon
Drunk drivers involved in fatal crashes (per 100,000 drivers): 5.09
Drunk-driving fatalities (per 100,000 inhabitants): 3.84
Traffic fatalities due to drinking and driving as a percentage of total traffic fatalities (2020): 37.6%
DUI arrests (per 100,000 licensed drivers): 413.63
(Image credit: Jess Kraft/Shutterstock.com)
5. South Dakota
Drunk drivers involved in fatal crashes (per 100,000 drivers): 5.53
Drunk-driving fatalities (per 100,000 inhabitants): 4.58
Traffic fatalities due to drinking and driving as a percentage of total traffic fatalities (2020): 34.8%
DUI arrests (per 100,000 licensed drivers): 965.85
(Source: visionteller/Shutterstock.com)
4. North Dakota
Drunk drivers involved in fatal crashes (per 100,000 drivers): 6.90
Drunk-driving fatalities (per 100,000 inhabitants): 5.21
Traffic fatalities due to drinking and driving as a percentage of total traffic fatalities (2020): 35%
DUI arrests (per 100,000 licensed drivers): 918.32
(Image credit: Joseph Sohm/Shutterstock.com)
3. Texas
Drunk drivers involved in fatal crashes (per 100,000 drivers): 8.07
Drunk-driving fatalities (per 100,000 inhabitants): 4.91
Traffic fatalities due to drinking and driving as a percentage of total traffic fatalities (2020): 38.6%
DUI arrests (per 100,000 licensed drivers): 362.21
(Image credit: Paul Brady Photography/Shutterstock.com)
2. Wyoming
Drunk drivers involved in fatal crashes (per 100,000 drivers): 8
Drunk-driving fatalities (per 100,000 inhabitants): 6.67
Traffic fatalities due to drinking and driving as a percentage of total traffic fatalities (2020): 34.6%
DUI arrests (per 100,000 licensed drivers): 682.48
(Source: haveseen/Shutterstock.com)
1. Montana
Drunk drivers involved in fatal crashes (per 100,000 drivers): 8.39
Drunk-driving fatalities (per 100,000 inhabitants): 6.92
Traffic fatalities due to drinking and driving as a percentage of total traffic fatalities (2020): 45.1%
DUI arrests (per 100,000 licensed drivers): 478.62
(Source: scottevers7/Adobe Stock)
According to a Forbes Advisor study, for 76 percent of U.S. motorists, getting into an accident with a DUI leaving a party is their top road hazard concern during the holidays.
Overall, 54 percent of U.S. drivers worry about getting into a car accident during the holidays. Besides drunk drivers, other major holiday road problems include distracted driving, icy roads, aggressive and reckless drivers and drowsy drivers.
Unsurprisingly, New Year’s Eve was the day drivers were most worried about DUIs, while 17 percent said they were most worried about DUIs during Christmas, Kwanzaa and Hanukkah.
For those foolish enough to think they can drink and drive, the legal and insurance consequences are harsh. In addition to fines and other penalties that the courts may impose, auto insurance rates increase by an average of 76 percent after DUI, according to Forbes Advisor. That’s much higher than other cost-increasing events, such as injuries that can lead to a 47 percent jump in premiums.
The slide above shows the 10 states with the most DUI incidents and accidents, according to Forbes Consultants.
The state with the fewest accidents (excluding Washington, D.C.) is New Jersey, which has the fewest number of DUI fatalities and the third-worst number of DUIs under the age of 21. New Jersey is also one of the most populous states. You’re least likely to see a friend or family member DUI at a holiday party.
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