The probability of a fatal crash rises significantly after 0.05% blood alcohol concentration (BAC) and even more rapidly after 0.08% (Zador et al., 2000; Voas et al., 2012).
Drivers with very high BACs (at or above 0.15%) have a very high risk of dying in a crash or getting severely injured (Zador et al., 2000; Peck et al., 2008).
Forty-nine states and the District of Columbia have per se laws making it a crime to drive with a BAC at or above 0.08%. In Utah, it’s a crime to drive with a BAC of 0.05% or above.
Substantial progress was made from 1982 to the mid-1990s in reducing the number and proportion of fatally injured drivers with BACs at or above 0.08%. However, little subsequent progress has been made, and alcohol-impaired driving is still a major problem. Institute research estimates that 25% of crash deaths could be prevented each year if all drivers with BACs of 0.08% or higher were kept off the roads (Farmer, 2021).
The minimum drinking age is 21 throughout the United States. In addition, all states have “zero tolerance” laws that prohibit people younger than 21 from driving after drinking. The percentage of fatally injured 16-20-year-old passenger vehicle drivers with BACs at or above 0.08% now is substantially lower than drivers ages 21-50.
The following facts are based on analysis of data from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System. The data are from all 50 states and the District of Columbia with imputations for missing BACs provided by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s multiple imputation model (Subramanian, 2002).
Posted June 2024.
Trends
The percentage of fatally injured drivers with BACs at or above 0.08% declined steadily from 49% in 1982 to 33% in 1994 (a 32% decline). This percentage has declined more gradually since 1994 and was 30% in 2022. Only 4% of fatally injured drivers of large trucks had BACs at or above 0.08%, compared with about 30% for fatally injured pedestrians ages 16 and older and drivers of passenger vehicles or motorcycles.
Percent of fatally injured people with BACs ≥ 0.08% by type, 1982-2022
Estimated number and percent of fatally injured people with BACs ≥ 0.08% by type, 1982-2022
Year
All drivers
Passenger vehicle drivers
Large truck drivers
Motorcycle drivers
Pedestrians (age ≥16)
Deaths
Estimated deaths with BACs ≥ 0.08
Deaths
Estimated deaths with BACs ≥ 0.08
Deaths
Estimated deaths with BACs ≥ 0.08
Deaths
Estimated deaths with BACs ≥ 0.08
Deaths
Estimated deaths with BACs ≥ 0.08
Number
Number
%
Number
Number
%
Number
Number
%
Number
Number
%
Number
Number
%
1982
24,690
12,139
49
19,664
10,024
51
735
123
17
3,876
1,842
48
5,993
2,668
45
1983
24,138
11,543
48
19,338
9,529
49
767
115
15
3,727
1,811
49
5,582
2,486
45
1984
25,589
11,499
45
20,300
9,379
46
859
107
12
4,055
1,870
46
5,755
2,439
42
1985
25,337
10,685
42
20,058
8,674
43
775
84
11
4,021
1,780
44
5,539
2,263
41
1986
26,630
11,409
43
21,503
9,396
44
736
58
8
4,019
1,846
46
5,547
2,242
40
1987
26,833
11,058
41
22,157
9,343
42
686
53
8
3,590
1,549
43
5,597
2,176
39
1988
27,253
11,103
41
22,884
9,580
42
743
66
9
3,281
1,374
42
5,701
2,162
38
1989
26,389
10,637
40
22,554
9,200
41
681
68
10
2,780
1,262
45
5,557
2,186
39
1990
25,750
10,395
40
21,953
8,973
41
570
50
9
2,895
1,261
44
5,488
2,137
39
1991
23,930
9,485
40
20,551
8,242
40
550
39
7
2,496
1,092
44
4,880
1,895
39
1992
22,584
8,452
37
19,573
7,434
38
506
26
5
2,172
889
41
4,734
1,861
39
1993
23,142
8,322
36
20,036
7,328
37
504
26
5
2,212
850
38
4,740
1,856
39
1994
23,691
7,913
33
20,647
7,083
34
545
36
7
2,092
692
33
4,637
1,718
37
1995
24,390
8,307
34
21,457
7,488
35
546
31
6
2,020
681
34
4,783
1,793
37
1996
24,534
8,175
33
21,631
7,336
34
525
34
6
1,962
700
36
4,670
1,804
39
1997
24,667
7,843
32
21,711
7,069
33
616
19
3
1,937
640
33
4,621
1,638
35
1998
24,743
7,834
32
21,627
6,944
32
628
30
5
2,089
736
35
4,597
1,678
37
1999
25,257
7,918
31
21,899
6,994
32
631
28
4
2,286
753
33
4,325
1,646
38
2000
25,567
8,166
32
21,819
7,127
33
641
28
4
2,651
859
32
4,192
1,534
37
2001
25,869
8,252
32
21,862
7,205
33
591
22
4
2,953
872
30
4,368
1,558
36
2002
26,659
8,515
32
22,537
7,381
33
582
38
7
3,031
957
32
4,367
1,584
36
2003
26,779
8,354
31
22,200
7,120
32
608
23
4
3,423
1,024
30
4,298
1,560
36
2004
26,871
8,155
30
21,952
6,952
32
624
24
4
3,711
1,022
28
4,237
1,528
36
2005
27,491
8,489
31
21,953
7,104
32
663
22
3
4,253
1,172
28
4,458
1,559
35
2006
27,348
8,578
31
21,592
7,164
33
678
30
4
4,492
1,204
27
4,384
1,656
38
2007
26,570
8,617
32
20,542
7,057
34
663
17
3
4,853
1,357
28
4,305
1,587
37
2008
24,254
7,961
33
18,266
6,280
34
534
19
4
4,970
1,488
30
4,069
1,545
38
2009
21,835
7,213
33
16,834
5,791
34
399
16
4
4,163
1,237
30
3,811
1,401
37
2010
21,072
6,579
31
16,029
5,177
32
426
17
4
4,207
1,205
29
3,988
1,410
35
2011
20,815
6,524
31
15,561
5,064
33
493
9
2
4,341
1,301
30
4,175
1,544
37
2012
21,490
6,735
31
15,915
5,204
33
524
14
3
4,652
1,354
29
4,501
1,626
36
2013
20,944
6,548
31
15,577
5,108
33
529
17
3
4,422
1,253
28
4,479
1,586
35
2014
20,788
6,387
31
15,495
4,906
32
536
16
3
4,041
1,199
30
4,629
1,596
34
2015
22,348
6,376
29
16,629
4,916
30
536
16
3
4,732
1,269
27
5,183
1,772
34
2016
23,715
6,681
28
17,641
5,149
29
590
17
3
4,998
1,334
27
5,726
1,968
34
2017
23,757
6,664
28
17,751
5,116
29
604
29
5
4,941
1,343
27
5,756
1,876
33
2018
23,045
6,349
28
17,263
4,957
29
583
18
3
4,724
1,193
25
6,122
2,022
33
2019
22,747
6,396
28
16,878
4,791
28
601
15
3
4,763
1,384
29
6,033
1,918
32
2020
24,860
7,221
29
18,316
5,540
30
556
40
7
5,307
1,401
26
6,295
1,931
31
2021
27,555
8,189
30
20,349
6,191
30
672
32
5
5,832
1,676
29
7,171
2,187
31
2022
26,842
8,012
30
19,565
6,042
31
727
27
4
5,935
1,705
29
7,203
2,164
30
Estimated number and percent of fatally injured people with BACs ≥ 0.08% by type, 1982-2022
Year
All drivers
Passenger vehicle drivers
Large truck drivers
Motorcycle drivers
Pedestrians (age ≥16)
Deaths
Estimated deaths with BACs ≥ 0.08
Deaths
Estimated deaths with BACs ≥ 0.08
Deaths
Estimated deaths with BACs ≥ 0.08
Deaths
Estimated deaths with BACs ≥ 0.08
Deaths
Estimated deaths with BACs ≥ 0.08
Number
Number
%
Number
Number
%
Number
Number
%
Number
Number
%
Number
Number
%
Two percent of large truck drivers killed in 2022 had BACs at or above 0.15% compared with 23% of fatally injured passenger vehicle drivers, 23% of fatally injured pedestrians ages 16 and older, and 18% of fatally injured motorcycle drivers.
Estimated number and percent of fatally injured people with BACs ≥ 0.15% by type, 1982-2022
Year
All drivers
Passenger vehicle drivers
Large truck drivers
Motorcycle drivers
Pedestrians (age ≥16)
Deaths
Estimated deaths with BACs ≥ 0.15
Deaths
Estimated deaths with BACs ≥ 0.15
Deaths
Estimated deaths with BACs ≥ 0.15
Deaths
Estimated deaths with BACs ≥ 0.15
Deaths
Estimated deaths with BACs ≥ 0.15
Number
Number
%
Number
Number
%
Number
Number
%
Number
Number
%
Number
Number
%
1982
24,690
8,660
35
19,664
7,328
37
735
75
10
3,876
1,154
30
5,993
2,077
35
1983
24,138
8,240
34
19,338
6,969
36
767
79
10
3,727
1,131
30
5,582
1,945
35
1984
25,589
8,203
32
20,300
6,864
34
859
70
8
4,055
1,161
29
5,755
1,886
33
1985
25,337
7,521
30
20,058
6,269
31
775
55
7
4,021
1,097
27
5,539
1,732
31
1986
26,630
8,077
30
21,503
6,783
32
736
34
5
4,019
1,189
30
5,547
1,730
31
1987
26,833
7,968
30
22,157
6,854
31
686
34
5
3,590
997
28
5,597
1,735
31
1988
27,253
8,114
30
22,884
7,126
31
743
45
6
3,281
887
27
5,701
1,688
30
1989
26,389
7,774
29
22,554
6,847
30
681
49
7
2,780
806
29
5,557
1,706
31
1990
25,750
7,631
30
21,953
6,670
30
570
32
6
2,895
844
29
5,488
1,697
31
1991
23,930
7,014
29
20,551
6,192
30
550
24
4
2,496
719
29
4,880
1,512
31
1992
22,584
6,258
28
19,573
5,569
28
506
17
3
2,172
603
28
4,734
1,474
31
1993
23,142
6,104
26
20,036
5,494
27
504
14
3
2,212
521
24
4,740
1,499
32
1994
23,691
5,849
25
20,647
5,326
26
545
27
5
2,092
427
20
4,637
1,355
29
1995
24,390
6,018
25
21,457
5,495
26
546
19
3
2,020
426
21
4,783
1,394
29
1996
24,534
5,925
24
21,631
5,383
25
525
18
4
1,962
452
23
4,670
1,433
31
1997
24,667
5,668
23
21,711
5,164
24
616
14
2
1,937
412
21
4,621
1,329
29
1998
24,743
5,692
23
21,627
5,127
24
628
23
4
2,089
464
22
4,597
1,332
29
1999
25,257
5,678
22
21,899
5,108
23
631
22
3
2,286
451
20
4,325
1,292
30
2000
25,567
5,801
23
21,819
5,138
24
641
10
2
2,651
546
21
4,192
1,204
29
2001
25,869
5,976
23
21,862
5,328
24
591
17
3
2,953
535
18
4,368
1,232
28
2002
26,659
6,146
23
22,537
5,463
24
582
23
4
3,031
575
19
4,367
1,267
29
2003
26,779
6,010
22
22,200
5,258
24
608
15
2
3,423
618
18
4,298
1,254
29
2004
26,871
5,837
22
21,952
5,089
23
624
16
2
3,711
629
17
4,237
1,195
28
2005
27,491
6,073
22
21,953
5,220
24
663
14
2
4,253
704
17
4,458
1,246
28
2006
27,348
6,101
22
21,592
5,248
24
678
18
3
4,492
713
16
4,384
1,324
30
2007
26,570
6,275
24
20,542
5,272
26
663
11
2
4,853
860
18
4,305
1,269
29
2008
24,254
5,844
24
18,266
4,792
26
534
13
3
4,970
925
19
4,069
1,243
31
2009
21,835
5,219
24
16,834
4,324
26
399
12
3
4,163
760
18
3,811
1,115
29
2010
21,072
4,881
23
16,029
3,964
25
426
10
2
4,207
774
18
3,988
1,141
29
2011
20,815
4,705
23
15,561
3,804
24
493
4
1
4,341
801
18
4,175
1,223
29
2012
21,490
5,008
23
15,915
3,998
25
524
11
2
4,652
884
19
4,501
1,281
28
2013
20,944
4,817
23
15,577
3,905
25
529
8
1
4,422
778
18
4,479
1,272
28
2014
20,788
4,748
23
15,495
3,779
24
536
13
2
4,041
769
19
4,629
1,282
28
2015
22,348
4,603
21
16,629
3,693
22
536
11
2
4,732
771
16
5,183
1,413
27
2016
23,715
4,825
20
17,641
3,875
22
590
11
2
4,998
815
16
5,726
1,552
27
2017
23,757
4,809
20
17,751
3,822
22
604
20
3
4,941
839
17
5,756
1,454
25
2018
23,045
4,592
20
17,263
3,714
22
583
8
1
4,724
741
16
6,122
1,566
26
2019
22,747
4,606
20
16,878
3,576
21
601
10
2
4,763
869
18
6,033
1,495
25
2020
24,860
5,137
21
18,316
4,103
22
556
26
5
5,307
841
16
6,295
1,528
24
2021
27,555
5,868
21
20,349
4,596
23
672
22
3
5,832
1,028
18
7,171
1,653
23
2022
26,842
5,686
21
19,565
4,460
23
727
18
2
5,935
1,041
18
7,203
1,665
23
Estimated number and percent of fatally injured people with BACs ≥ 0.15% by type, 1982-2022
Year
All drivers
Passenger vehicle drivers
Large truck drivers
Motorcycle drivers
Pedestrians (age ≥16)
Deaths
Estimated deaths with BACs ≥ 0.15
Deaths
Estimated deaths with BACs ≥ 0.15
Deaths
Estimated deaths with BACs ≥ 0.15
Deaths
Estimated deaths with BACs ≥ 0.15
Deaths
Estimated deaths with BACs ≥ 0.15
Number
Number
%
Number
Number
%
Number
Number
%
Number
Number
%
Number
Number
%
Who is killed
In 2022, the individuals most often killed in crashes involving at least one alcohol-impaired driver (BAC ≥ 0.08%) were alcohol-impaired drivers (8,012 deaths), followed by occupants of other vehicles (2,193 deaths), passengers riding with an alcohol-impaired driver (1,684 deaths), and nonoccupants (1,635 deaths).
Fatalities in crashes involving at least one driver with a BAC ≥ 0.08%, 2022
Age
Alcohol-impaired drivers
Passengers riding With alcohol-impaired drivers
Occupants of other vehicles
Nonoccupants
Total*
Deaths
%
Deaths
%
Deaths
%
Deaths
%
Deaths
%
0-15
9
0
169
10
94
4
49
3
321
2
16-20
500
6
270
16
191
9
62
4
1,024
8
21-30
2,272
28
494
29
458
21
271
17
3,494
26
31-40
1,876
23
305
18
370
17
330
20
2,881
21
41-50
1,309
16
166
10
302
14
274
17
2,051
15
51-60
1,057
13
136
8
300
14
286
17
1,780
13
61-70
647
8
70
4
218
10
220
13
1,154
9
>70
329
4
64
4
253
12
121
7
767
6
Total*
8,012
100
1,684
100
2,193
100
1,635
100
13,524
100
*Total includes other and/or unknowns
Fatalities in crashes involving at least one driver with a BAC ≥ 0.08%, 2022
Age
Alcohol-impaired drivers
Passengers riding With alcohol-impaired drivers
Occupants of other vehicles
Nonoccupants
Total*
Deaths
%
Deaths
%
Deaths
%
Deaths
%
Deaths
%
Age and sex
Among fatally injured passenger vehicle drivers in 2022, a higher proportion of males than females had BACs at or above 0.08% at every age. Overall, 33% of males and 24% of females had BACs at or above 0.08%. The percentage was highest among males ages 21-30. The lowest percentage was observed among females older than 70.
Estimated number and percent of fatally injured passenger vehicle drivers with BACs ≥ 0.08% by driver age and sex, 2022
Age
Male
Female
Total*
Drivers killed
Estimated drivers killed with BACs ≥ 0.08
Drivers killed
Estimated drivers killed with BACs ≥ 0.08
Drivers killed
Estimated drivers killed with BACs ≥ 0.08
Number
Number
%
Number
Number
%
Number
Number
%
16-20
1,182
370
31
427
84
20
1,609
454
28
21-30
2,964
1,376
46
1,138
446
39
4,104
1,824
44
31-40
2,532
1,096
43
927
309
33
3,463
1,407
41
41-50
1,940
721
37
678
178
26
2,618
899
34
51-60
1,791
545
30
746
155
21
2,537
700
28
61-70
1,625
372
23
647
93
14
2,273
466
21
>70
1,983
218
11
913
59
6
2,898
276
10
Total*
14,062
4,709
33
5,489
1,328
24
19,565
6,042
31
*Total includes other and/or unknowns
Estimated number and percent of fatally injured passenger vehicle drivers with BACs ≥ 0.08% by driver age and sex, 2022
Age
Male
Female
Total*
Drivers killed
Estimated drivers killed with BACs ≥ 0.08
Drivers killed
Estimated drivers killed with BACs ≥ 0.08
Drivers killed
Estimated drivers killed with BACs ≥ 0.08
Number
Number
%
Number
Number
%
Number
Number
%
Among fatally injured passenger vehicle drivers in 2022, 25% of males and 18% of females had BACs at or above 0.15%.
Estimated number and percent of fatally injured passenger vehicle drivers with BACs ≥ 0.15% by driver age and sex, 2022
Age
Male
Female
Total*
Drivers killed
Estimated drivers killed with BACs ≥ 0.15
Drivers killed
Estimated drivers killed with BACs ≥ 0.15
Drivers killed
Estimated drivers killed with BACs ≥ 0.15
Number
Number
%
Number
Number
%
Number
Number
%
16-20
1,182
235
20
427
54
13
1,609
290
18
21-30
2,964
1,027
35
1,138
328
29
4,104
1,355
33
31-40
2,532
815
32
927
251
27
3,463
1,067
31
41-50
1,940
551
28
678
134
20
2,618
686
26
51-60
1,791
424
24
746
116
16
2,537
540
21
61-70
1,625
264
16
647
62
10
2,273
326
14
>70
1,983
147
7
913
40
4
2,898
187
6
Total*
14,062
3,470
25
5,489
988
18
19,565
4,460
23
*Total includes other and/or unknowns
Estimated number and percent of fatally injured passenger vehicle drivers with BACs ≥ 0.15% by driver age and sex, 2022
Age
Male
Female
Total*
Drivers killed
Estimated drivers killed with BACs ≥ 0.15
Drivers killed
Estimated drivers killed with BACs ≥ 0.15
Drivers killed
Estimated drivers killed with BACs ≥ 0.15
Number
Number
%
Number
Number
%
Number
Number
%
Since the 1980s, the percentage of fatally injured passenger vehicle drivers with BACs at or above 0.08% has declined more among 16-20-year-olds than among older drivers. The percentage of fatally injured 16-20-year-old passenger vehicle drivers with BACs at or above 0.08% now is substantially lower than the percentage for drivers ages 21-50.
Percent of fatally injured passenger vehicle drivers with BACs ≥ 0.08% by driver age, 1982-2022
Estimated number and percent of fatally injured passenger vehicle drivers with BACs ≥ 0.08% by driver age, 1982-2022
Year
16-20 years
21-30 years
31-40 years
41-50 years
>50 years
Drivers killed
Estimated drivers killed with BACs ≥ 0.08
Drivers killed
Estimated drivers killed with BACs ≥ 0.08
Drivers killed
Estimated drivers killed with BACs ≥ 0.08
Drivers killed
Estimated drivers killed with BACs ≥ 0.08
Drivers killed
Estimated drivers killed with BACs ≥ 0.08
Number
Number
%
Number
Number
%
Number
Number
%
Number
Number
%
Number
Number
%
1982
3,456
1,826
53
6,244
3,948
63
3,352
1,980
59
1,935
1,023
53
4,574
1,206
26
1983
3,326
1,681
51
6,053
3,859
64
3,383
1,982
59
1,847
853
46
4,615
1,108
24
1984
3,441
1,595
46
6,413
3,885
61
3,549
1,892
53
1,949
890
46
4,839
1,077
22
1985
3,227
1,260
39
6,263
3,659
58
3,430
1,842
54
2,071
914
44
4,940
957
19
1986
3,636
1,495
41
6,695
3,974
59
3,801
1,997
53
2,007
896
45
5,234
994
19
1987
3,630
1,315
36
6,802
3,975
58
4,049
2,151
53
2,128
896
42
5,402
968
18
1988
3,788
1,358
36
6,819
3,991
59
4,130
2,200
53
2,400
1,011
42
5,615
992
18
1989
3,536
1,225
35
6,475
3,675
57
4,130
2,168
52
2,558
1,100
43
5,713
1,004
18
1990
3,397
1,198
35
6,152
3,510
57
4,135
2,263
55
2,519
1,045
41
5,620
930
17
1991
3,021
1,044
35
5,623
3,183
57
3,831
2,111
55
2,479
1,049
42
5,491
833
15
1992
2,697
829
31
5,122
2,759
54
3,734
1,993
53
2,416
970
40
5,489
860
16
1993
2,805
795
28
5,065
2,658
52
3,826
2,003
52
2,475
975
39
5,737
873
15
1994
2,990
800
27
4,975
2,484
50
3,858
1,923
50
2,631
1,024
39
6,036
824
14
1995
2,983
725
24
5,081
2,585
51
4,118
2,090
51
2,854
1,147
40
6,275
918
15
1996
3,026
769
25
4,989
2,475
50
4,061
1,984
49
2,937
1,137
39
6,480
949
15
1997
3,036
774
25
4,775
2,275
48
3,913
1,947
50
2,994
1,124
38
6,870
934
14
1998
3,094
767
25
4,577
2,222
49
3,912
1,831
47
3,140
1,184
38
6,787
915
13
1999
3,261
849
26
4,653
2,260
49
3,821
1,799
47
3,131
1,176
38
6,918
891
13
2000
3,250
844
26
4,706
2,268
48
3,724
1,767
47
3,255
1,268
39
6,764
963
14
2001
3,247
823
25
4,735
2,358
50
3,643
1,700
47
3,300
1,334
40
6,847
972
14
2002
3,452
873
25
4,938
2,462
50
3,678
1,696
46
3,449
1,360
39
6,879
964
14
2003
3,260
858
26
4,852
2,308
48
3,453
1,534
44
3,420
1,352
40
7,084
1,044
15
2004
3,175
815
26
4,970
2,372
48
3,333
1,414
42
3,438
1,276
37
6,918
1,053
15
2005
2,985
734
25
5,067
2,492
49
3,372
1,526
45
3,358
1,290
38
7,079
1,036
15
2006
3,020
831
28
5,159
2,535
49
3,288
1,511
46
3,263
1,216
37
6,770
1,052
16
2007
2,728
766
28
5,028
2,592
52
2,992
1,408
47
3,060
1,211
40
6,645
1,056
16
2008
2,292
626
27
4,388
2,327
53
2,656
1,300
49
2,718
1,068
39
6,154
940
15
2009
2,049
609
30
3,870
2,020
52
2,399
1,127
47
2,623
1,107
42
5,847
923
16
2010
1,675
438
26
3,697
1,816
49
2,414
1,086
45
2,312
914
40
5,887
914
16
2011
1,722
488
28
3,612
1,747
48
2,230
987
44
2,218
871
39
5,745
962
17
2012
1,624
436
27
3,748
1,803
48
2,391
1,099
46
2,188
872
40
5,926
988
17
2013
1,381
360
26
3,671
1,788
49
2,336
1,058
45
2,138
850
40
6,018
1,049
17
2014
1,434
344
24
3,636
1,707
47
2,317
987
43
2,042
752
37
6,025
1,110
18
2015
1,591
348
22
3,860
1,658
43
2,522
1,067
42
2,121
744
35
6,491
1,090
17
2016
1,591
330
21
4,205
1,812
43
2,726
1,114
41
2,218
781
35
6,857
1,102
16
2017
1,483
322
22
4,057
1,721
42
2,830
1,125
40
2,282
767
34
7,056
1,174
17
2018
1,439
289
20
3,962
1,674
42
2,711
1,062
39
2,158
736
34
6,958
1,191
17
2019
1,334
286
21
3,639
1,552
43
2,736
1,063
39
2,148
710
33
6,985
1,174
17
2020
1,579
391
25
4,258
1,747
41
3,150
1,236
39
2,393
830
35
6,864
1,318
19
2021
1,720
411
24
4,520
1,943
43
3,731
1,472
39
2,674
918
34
7,629
1,432
19
2022
1,609
454
28
4,104
1,824
44
3,463
1,407
41
2,618
899
34
7,708
1,443
19
Estimated number and percent of fatally injured passenger vehicle drivers with BACs ≥ 0.08% by driver age, 1982-2022
Year
16-20 years
21-30 years
31-40 years
41-50 years
>50 years
Drivers killed
Estimated drivers killed with BACs ≥ 0.08
Drivers killed
Estimated drivers killed with BACs ≥ 0.08
Drivers killed
Estimated drivers killed with BACs ≥ 0.08
Drivers killed
Estimated drivers killed with BACs ≥ 0.08
Drivers killed
Estimated drivers killed with BACs ≥ 0.08
Number
Number
%
Number
Number
%
Number
Number
%
Number
Number
%
Number
Number
%
When alcohol-impaired crashes occur
Alcohol involvement in fatal crashes peaks at night. Between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m., 51% of fatally injured passenger vehicle drivers in 2022 had BACs at or above 0.08%, compared with 20% during other hours.
Estimated number and percent of fatally injured passenger vehicle drivers with high BACs by nighttime vs. other times, 2022
Time of day
Drivers killed
Estimated drivers killed with BACs ≥ 0.08
Estimated drivers killed with BACs ≥ 0.15
Number
Number
%
Number
%
9 p.m. - 6 a.m.
6,836
3,518
51
2,639
39
Other hours
12,729
2,524
20
1,821
14
Total
19,565
6,042
31
4,460
23
Estimated number and percent of fatally injured passenger vehicle drivers with high BACs by nighttime vs. other times, 2022
Time of day
Drivers killed
Estimated drivers killed with BACs ≥ 0.08
Estimated drivers killed with BACs ≥ 0.15
Number
Number
%
Number
%
The three-hour period with the highest percentage of driver fatalities with BACs of 0.08% or higher is midnight to 3 a.m.
Estimated number and percent of fatally injured passenger vehicle drivers with high BACs by time of day, 2022
Time of day
Drivers killed
Estimated drivers killed with BACs ≥ 0.08
Estimated drivers killed with BACs ≥ 0.15
Number
Number
%
Number
%
Midnight - 3 a.m.
2,470
1,461
59
1,102
45
3 a.m. - 6 a.m.
1,778
797
45
582
33
6 a.m. - 9 a.m.
2,283
350
15
240
11
9 a.m. - noon
2,077
201
10
144
7
Noon - 3 p.m.
2,543
331
13
232
9
3 p.m. - 6 p.m.
3,055
622
20
436
14
6 p.m. - 9 p.m.
2,600
938
36
710
27
9 p.m. - midnight
2,588
1,260
49
955
37
Total*
19,565
6,042
31
4,460
23
*Total includes other and/or unknowns
Estimated number and percent of fatally injured passenger vehicle drivers with high BACs by time of day, 2022
Time of day
Drivers killed
Estimated drivers killed with BACs ≥ 0.08
Estimated drivers killed with BACs ≥ 0.15
Number
Number
%
Number
%
Forty-two percent of passenger vehicle drivers fatally injured on weekends (6 p.m. Friday to 6 a.m. Monday) in 2022 had BACs at or above 0.08%, compared with 24% at other times.
Estimated number and percent of fatally injured passenger vehicle drivers with high BACs by weekend vs. other times, 2022
Drivers killed
Estimated drivers killed with BACs ≥ 0.08
Estimated drivers killed with BACs ≥ 0.15
Number
Number
%
Number
%
Weekend (6 p.m. Friday - 6 a.m. Monday)
7,596
3,178
42
2,351
31
Other times
11,969
2,864
24
2,109
18
Total
19,565
6,042
31
4,460
23
Estimated number and percent of fatally injured passenger vehicle drivers with high BACs by weekend vs. other times, 2022
Drivers killed
Estimated drivers killed with BACs ≥ 0.08
Estimated drivers killed with BACs ≥ 0.15
Number
Number
%
Number
%
Alcohol involvement is very high in fatal nighttime (9 p.m. to 6 a.m.) single-vehicle crashes. In 2022, 61% of fatally injured passenger vehicle drivers in these crashes had BACs at or above 0.08%, and 46% had BACs at or above 0.15%. Five percent had BACs of 0.01% to 0.07%.
Estimated number and percent of fatally injured passenger vehicle drivers by BAC, time, and crash type, 2022
Drivers killed
Estimated drivers killed with BACs = 0
Estimated drivers killed with 0.01 ≤ BACs < 0.08
Estimated drivers killed with BACs ≥ 0.08
Estimated drivers killed with BACs ≥ 0.15
Number
Number
%
Number
%
Number
%
Number
%
Single vehicle
Night
3,900
1,302
33
211
5
2,387
61
1,812
46
Day
4,927
3,247
66
206
4
1,474
30
1,081
22
Multiple vehicle
Night
2,936
1,634
56
171
6
1,131
39
826
28
Day
7,631
6,415
84
248
3
968
13
680
9
Estimated number and percent of fatally injured passenger vehicle drivers by BAC, time, and crash type, 2022