Fatality Facts 2021Alcohol
Overview
The probability of a fatal crash rises significantly after 0.05% blood alcohol concentration (BAC) and even more rapidly after 0.08%.
Drivers with very high BACs (at or above 0.15%) have a very high risk of dying in a crash or getting severely injured.
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 numbers 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.
At the same BAC, drivers younger than 21 are far more likely than older drivers to get into a fatal or nonfatal crash.
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.
Posted May 2023.
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 29% in 2021. Among drivers and pedestrians killed in crashes in 2021, only 5% of drivers of large trucks had BACs at or above 0.08%, compared with 31% of pedestrians ages 16 and older, 30% of passenger vehicle drivers and 29% of motorcycle drivers.
Estimated number and percent of fatally injured people with BACs ≥ 0.08% by type, 1982-2021 | |||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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 | 7,216 | 29 | 18,316 | 5,540 | 30 | 556 | 40 | 7 | 5,307 | 1,396 | 26 | 6,295 | 1,931 | 31 |
2021 | 27,422 | 8,089 | 29 | 20,261 | 6,115 | 30 | 669 | 34 | 5 | 5,785 | 1,659 | 29 | 7,087 | 2,169 | 31 |
The percentage of fatally injured drivers with BACs of 0.15% or higher has declined 40% since 1982. Twenty-two percent of passenger vehicle drivers killed in 2021 had BACs at or above 0.15% compared with 18% of fatally injured motorcycle drivers and 3% of fatally injured large truck drivers. A higher percentage of pedestrians (23%) killed in crashes had BACs at or above 0.15% compared with any group of drivers.
Estimated number and percent of fatally injured people with BACs ≥ 0.15% by type, 1982-2021 | |||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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 | 5,128 | 21 | 18,316 | 4,103 | 22 | 556 | 26 | 5 | 5,307 | 835 | 16 | 6,295 | 1,528 | 24 |
2021 | 27,422 | 5,794 | 21 | 20,261 | 4,534 | 22 | 669 | 23 | 3 | 5,785 | 1,029 | 18 | 7,087 | 1,644 | 23 |
Who is killed
In 2021, the individuals most often killed in crashes involving at least one alcohol-impaired driver (BAC ≥ 0.08%) were alcohol-impaired drivers (8,089 deaths), followed by occupants of other vehicles (2,085 deaths), nonoccupants (1,607 deaths), and passengers riding with an alcohol-impaired driver (1,603 deaths).
Fatalities in crashes involving at least one driver with a BAC ≥ 0.08%, 2021 | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Age | Alcohol-Impaired Drivers | Passengers Riding With Alcohol-Impaired Drivers | Occupants of Other Vehicles | Nonoccupants | Total* | |||||
Deaths | % | Deaths | % | Deaths | % | Deaths | % | Deaths | % | |
0-15 | 10 | 0 | 173 | 11 | 115 | 5 | 34 | 2 | 332 | 2 |
16-20 | 465 | 6 | 249 | 16 | 193 | 9 | 78 | 5 | 986 | 7 |
21-30 | 2,339 | 29 | 497 | 31 | 391 | 19 | 270 | 17 | 3,497 | 26 |
31-40 | 1,934 | 24 | 250 | 16 | 341 | 16 | 326 | 20 | 2,851 | 21 |
41-50 | 1,302 | 16 | 170 | 11 | 281 | 13 | 259 | 16 | 2,013 | 15 |
51-60 | 1,123 | 14 | 112 | 7 | 296 | 14 | 286 | 18 | 1,818 | 14 |
61-70 | 597 | 7 | 65 | 4 | 231 | 11 | 213 | 13 | 1,106 | 8 |
>70 | 305 | 4 | 74 | 5 | 228 | 11 | 114 | 7 | 721 | 5 |
Total* | 8,089 | 100 | 1,603 | 100 | 2,085 | 100 | 1,607 | 100 | 13,384 | 100 |
*Total includes other and/or unknowns |
Age and sex
Among fatally injured passenger vehicle drivers in 2021, a higher proportion of males than females had BACs at or above 0.08% at every age. Overall, 33% of males and 23% 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, 2021 | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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 | 1,220 | 318 | 26 | 487 | 94 | 19 | 1,710 | 413 | 24 |
21-30 | 3,274 | 1,456 | 44 | 1,219 | 444 | 36 | 4,496 | 1,903 | 42 |
31-40 | 2,639 | 1,106 | 42 | 1,066 | 328 | 31 | 3,712 | 1,436 | 39 |
41-50 | 1,943 | 728 | 37 | 720 | 185 | 26 | 2,665 | 914 | 34 |
51-60 | 1,940 | 605 | 31 | 742 | 147 | 20 | 2,683 | 751 | 28 |
61-70 | 1,617 | 347 | 21 | 610 | 76 | 12 | 2,229 | 423 | 19 |
>70 | 1,814 | 204 | 11 | 872 | 53 | 6 | 2,689 | 258 | 10 |
Total* | 14,498 | 4,773 | 33 | 5,735 | 1,329 | 23 | 20,261 | 6,115 | 30 |
*Total includes other and/or unknowns |
Among fatally injured passenger vehicle drivers in 2021, 24% of males and 17% 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, 2021 | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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 | 1,220 | 208 | 17 | 487 | 63 | 13 | 1,710 | 272 | 16 |
21-30 | 3,274 | 1,067 | 33 | 1,219 | 318 | 26 | 4,496 | 1,388 | 31 |
31-40 | 2,639 | 841 | 32 | 1,066 | 251 | 24 | 3,712 | 1,093 | 29 |
41-50 | 1,943 | 561 | 29 | 720 | 144 | 20 | 2,665 | 706 | 26 |
51-60 | 1,940 | 470 | 24 | 742 | 114 | 15 | 2,683 | 584 | 22 |
61-70 | 1,617 | 250 | 15 | 610 | 55 | 9 | 2,229 | 306 | 14 |
>70 | 1,814 | 136 | 7 | 872 | 35 | 4 | 2,689 | 172 | 6 |
Total* | 14,498 | 3,541 | 24 | 5,735 | 984 | 17 | 20,261 | 4,534 | 22 |
*Total includes other and/or unknowns |
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 drivers ages 21-50.
Estimated number and percent of fatally injured passenger vehicle drivers with BACs ≥ 0.08% by driver age, 1982-2021 | |||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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 | 1,710 | 413 | 24 | 4,496 | 1,903 | 42 | 3,712 | 1,436 | 39 | 2,665 | 914 | 34 | 7,601 | 1,433 | 19 |
When alcohol-impaired crashes occur
Alcohol involvement in fatal crashes peaks at night. Between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m., 49% of fatally injured passenger vehicle drivers in 2021 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, 2021 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
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. | 6,990 | 3,453 | 49 | 2,584 | 37 |
Other hours | 13,271 | 2,662 | 20 | 1,950 | 15 |
Total | 20,261 | 6,115 | 30 | 4,534 | 22 |
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, 2021 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
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. | 2,505 | 1,432 | 57 | 1,084 | 43 |
3 a.m. - 6 a.m. | 1,820 | 788 | 43 | 573 | 31 |
6 a.m. - 9 a.m. | 2,240 | 371 | 17 | 253 | 11 |
9 a.m. - noon | 2,158 | 244 | 11 | 182 | 8 |
Noon - 3 p.m. | 2,758 | 350 | 13 | 252 | 9 |
3 p.m. - 6 p.m. | 3,110 | 655 | 21 | 484 | 16 |
6 p.m. - 9 p.m. | 2,834 | 958 | 34 | 714 | 25 |
9 p.m. - midnight | 2,665 | 1,233 | 46 | 928 | 35 |
Total* | 20,261 | 6,115 | 30 | 4,534 | 22 |
*Total includes other and/or unknowns |
Forty-one percent of passenger vehicle drivers fatally injured on weekends (6 p.m. Friday to 6 a.m. Monday) in 2021 had BACs at or above 0.08%, compared with 23% at other times.
Estimated number and percent of fatally injured passenger vehicle drivers with high BACs by weekend vs. other times, 2021 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
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) | 7,933 | 3,277 | 41 | 2,434 | 31 |
Other times | 12,328 | 2,838 | 23 | 2,101 | 17 |
Total | 20,261 | 6,115 | 30 | 4,534 | 22 |
Alcohol involvement is very high in fatal nighttime (9 p.m. to 6 a.m.) single-vehicle crashes. In 2021, 59% of fatally injured passenger vehicle drivers in these crashes had BACs at or above 0.08%, and 44% 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, 2021 | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Drivers killed | Estimated drivers killed with BACs = 0 | Estimated drivers killed with 0.01 ≤ BACs ≤ 0.07 | Estimated drivers killed with BACs ≥ 0.08 | Estimated drivers killed with BACs ≥ 0.15 | ||||||
Number | Number | % | Number | % | Number | % | Number | % | ||
Single vehicle | Night | 3,992 | 1,434 | 36 | 211 | 5 | 2,346 | 59 | 1,773 | 44 |
Day | 5,034 | 3,327 | 66 | 179 | 4 | 1,527 | 30 | 1,148 | 23 | |
Multiple vehicle | Night | 2,998 | 1,724 | 57 | 168 | 6 | 1,107 | 37 | 812 | 27 |
Day | 8,066 | 6,757 | 84 | 257 | 3 | 1,052 | 13 | 736 | 9 |