Federal Government Analysis of Drunk Driving Fatalities

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration conducted an analysis of drunk driving fatalities NHTSA using a statistical analysis called the “Fatality Analysis Reporting System” or “FARS.” The study reviewed fatal crashes of passenger cars, SUVS, pickup trucks, vans and motorcycles for the years 2000-2004 and age groups of under 20, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59 and over 59.

The significant findings of this study of DWI fatalities are as follows:

The age groups with the largest driver alcohol involvement in fatal passenger car crashes were 20-29 and 30-39.

For motorcycle operators, the age groups with the largest alcohol involvement were 30-39 and 40-49.

75% of drivers with alcohol in fatal crashes had BAC (blood alcohol concentration) levels of .10 or .11, which is greater than the legal limit of DWI in New York, which is .08 BAC, as well as the legal limit in all other States, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

25% of all drivers with alcohol in fatal crashes had BAC levels of .21, which is more than twice the legal limit in all States, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

Motorcycle operators driving under the influence of alcohol in fatal crashes had lower BAC levels overall.