Statistics

In 2002, 2.3% of Americans 18 and older surveyed reported alcohol-impaired driving, compared with only 2.1% in 1997. up>[ref.]

The average age of first alcohol use has generally decreased since 1965, indicating that youth are starting to drink at younger ages. up>[ref.]

In 2006, an estimated 15,827 people died in alcohol-related traffic crashes—an average of one every 33 minutes. These deaths constitute 37 percent of the 42,532 total traffic fatalities. Of these, 13,470 involved a driver with an illegal BAC (.08 or greater). On average someone is killed by a drunk driver every 39 minutes. up>[ref.]

In 2007, 62 percent of eighth graders reported that alcohol is “very easy” or “fairly easy” to get. This is down from 75 percent a decade earlier. up>[ref.]

About three in every ten Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related crash at some time in their lives. up>[ref.]

In 2002, surveys estimates that Americans took over 159 million alcohol-impaired driving trips, compared with only 116 million in 1997. up>[ref.]

By ages 19 and 20, 70 percent of all drinkers engage in heavy drinking, suggesting that the majority of young people are at great risk of making poor decisions that have significant long-term consequences. up>[ref.]

Over 1.46 million drivers were arrested in 2006 for driving under the influence of alcohol or narcotics. This is an arrest rate of 1 for every 139 licensed drivers in the United States. up>[ref.]

In 2002, 2.3% of Americans 18 and older surveyed reported alcohol-impaired driving, including 3% of 18-20 year olds and 4.1% of 21-34 year olds. up>[ref.]

In 2007, 82.6 percent of tenth graders reported that alcohol is “very easy” or “fairly easy” to get. This is down from 89 percent a decade earlier. up>[ref.]

About 91 percent of all drinks consumed by teenagers are consumed by those who drink heavily. up>[ref.]

In 2001, more than half a million people were injured in crashes where police reported that alcohol was present — an average of one person injured almost every minute. up>[ref.]

Of the over 159 million alcohol-impaired driving trips estimated that Americans took in 2002, over ten percent (18 million trips) were made by 18-20 year olds. up>[ref.]

In 2007, 92.2 percent of twelfth graders reported that alcohol is “very easy” or “fairly easy” to get. up>[ref.]

In 2006, the rate of alcohol impairment among drivers involved in fatal crashes was four times higher at night than during the day (36% versus 9%) up>[ref.]

Since 1980 (the year Mothers Against Drunk Driving was founded), alcohol-related traffic fatalities have decreased by about 44 percent, from over 30,000 to under 17,000 and MADD has helped save over 300,000 lives. up>[ref.]

Alcohol-related crashes in the United States cost the public an estimated $114.3 billion in 2000, including $51.1 billion in monetary costs and an estimated $63.2 billion in quality of life losses. People other than the drinking driver paid $71.6 billion of the alcohol-related crash bill, which is 63 percent of the total cost of these crashes. up>[ref.]

A 2008 AAA poll measuring the traffic safety culture of Americans, found that 80% supported requiring drivers who have been convicted of DWI to use equipment that tests them for alcohol, i.e. an ignition interlock device. Also, 88% of the respondents in the poll felt that drunk driving is a serious traffic safety concern. up>[ref.]