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15 Worst U.S. Counties for Drunk Driving (2026 Report)

Explore the 15 worst U.S. counties for drunk driving, with El Paso County, Texas, leading at 48% of traffic deaths involving alcohol. Texas counties dominate the list, revealing alarming trends from 2014 to 2018 and highlighting a pressing need for more effective prevention and enforcement measures.

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Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Laura Gunn

Insurance and Finance Writer

Laura Gunn is a former teacher who uses her passion for writing and learning to help others make the best decisions regarding finance and insurance. After stepping away from the classroom, Laura used her skills to write across many different industries including insurance, finance, real estate, home improvement, and healthcare.  Her experience in various industries has helped develop both her ...

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Written by
Laura Gunn
Ty Stewart

Licensed Insurance Agent

Ty Stewart is the founder and CEO of SimpleLifeInsure.com. He started researching and studying about insurance when he got his first policy for his own family. He has been featured as an insurance expert speaker at agent conventions and in top publications.  As an independent licensed insurance agent, he has helped clients nationwide to secure affordable coverage while making the process simpl...

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Reviewed by
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Updated January 2025

The worst U.S. counties for drunk driving are plagued by alarmingly high rates of alcohol-related traffic fatalities, directly impacting residents and insurance costs.  This article ranks these counties, using data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to reveal where the problem is most severe.

Worst U.S. Counties for Drunk Driving

El Paso County, Texas, tops the list with 48% of traffic deaths involving a drunk driver, far exceeding the national average. By identifying these high-risk areas, we’ll help you understand the factors contributing to these dangerous trends and how they might affect your insurance rates.

Here's what you need to know
  • El Paso County, Texas, ranks worst with 48% of traffic deaths involving alcohol
  • Texas counties dominate the list of the 15 worst U.S. counties for drunk driving
  • High drunk-driving rates can impact local insurance premiums

The Broader Consequences of Drunk Driving

Drunk drivers are not the only ones affected by the decision to drive while impaired. In fact, in 2018, only 61 percent of the alcohol-related traffic fatalities were the drunk drivers themselves.

According to drunk driving statistics, the remaining victims included passengers, other vehicle occupants, pedestrians, and cyclists, with 10 percent being children under 14. Of these, 13 percent were same-vehicle passengers, 15 percent were in other vehicles, and 11 percent were nonoccupants. Driving tips for road safety can help reduce these tragic outcomes.

Over the past five years, Texas accounted for 13.8 percent of all drunk-driving fatalities in the U.S., despite accounting for only 8.8 percent of the population.

While drunk driving is a nationwide problem, some individual states struggle more than others. For example, in Texas, 40 percent of traffic deaths involve an impaired driver; nationally, that number is 29 percent.

Rate of drunk drivers previous offenses graph

Other states that are known for having high proportions of alcohol-related fatalities include Connecticut and North Dakota, both at 39 percent. At a more granular level, some individual counties also have significantly above-average alcohol-related traffic fatality rates.

Drunk driving is a public safety crisis. With nearly 40% of traffic fatalities in some states involving alcohol, the danger extends far beyond the impaired driver, affecting passengers, pedestrians, and children.

Brad Larson Licensed Insurance Agent

To find which U.S. counties have the highest percentage of traffic fatalities involving a drunk driver, our researchers at AutoInsuranceEZ.com analyzed 2014-2018 data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System.

Counties were ranked according to the percentage of fatalities between 2014 and 2018 that involved at least one driver having a blood-alcohol level exceeding 0.08 mg/dL, a level that is illegal in all 50 U.S. states. In the event of a tie, the county with the higher per capita rate of alcohol-related fatalities was ranked higher.

Most drunk-driving deaths by U.S. state

To improve relevance, our researchers grouped counties into cohorts based on population: large counties (750,000 or more), midsize counties (350,000-749,999), and small counties (200,000-349,999). Among the 15 large counties with the most drunk-driving deaths, 10 are located in Texas.

Texas is also disproportionately represented among small and midsize counties as well. Here are the counties with the largest share of traffic fatalities involving drunk drivers.

Data here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1JROR78-5lM7J-x0R8-c6p_4Xri0zFcQxkpE9G8mbkFo/edit#gid=0

Small CountiesShareMidsize CountiesShare
1. Lubbock County, TX49%1. Douglas County, NE43%
2. Hays County, TX48%2. Brazoria County, TX42%
3. Galveston County, TX47%3. Cameron County, TX42%
4. New London County, CT44%4. Williamson County, TX41%
5. Oneida County, NY42%5. Hampden County, MA41%
6. Barnstable County, MA42%6. Nueces County, TX40%
7. Rockingham County, NH41%7. Bell County, TX40%
8. Lake County, OH41%8. Plymouth County, MA40%
9. Brown County, WI40%9. Loudoun County, VA40%
10. Lexington County, SC39%10. Montgomery County, TX38%
11. Caddo Parish, LA39%11. Bristol County, MA38%
12. St. Clair County, IL39%12. Norfolk County, MA38%
13. Saratoga County, NY39%13. Richland County, SC37%
14. Jackson County, OR38%14. Montgomery County, OH37%
15. Smith County, TX37%15. Clackamas County, OR37%

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If you live in an area with multiple DUI fatalities, such as the state with the most DUIs or cities with the most DUIs, your insurance rates may be higher. However, shopping around can help you find lower rates despite these risks.

If you’re ready to jump in and get a quote, just plug your ZIP code into our online quote comparison tool. It’ll give you the best rates for you and your area.

In addition, you can check out our auto insurance coverage types page to see which coverages you might want in your auto insurance policy. If you live in an area where there are a large number of drunk driving fatal crashes, your rates might increase even though you have nothing to do with those crashes.

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Read more: Car Insurance After A DUI

In this article, we use numerous drunk driving facts to create our ranking. They include the highest DUI rates by county and general drunk driving statistics. In the frequently asked questions section, we’ll get into drunk driving arrests by state per capita and the worst states for drunk driving.

Large Counties With the Worst Drunk-Driving Problem

Now, let’s get started with our list of the counties that have the worst drunk-driving problems.

#15 – Fairfield County, Connecticut

  • Share of total driving fatalities involving a drunk driver: 38%
  • Drunk-driving fatality rate: 2.1 per 100k
  • Total drunk-driving fatalities (last 5 years): 99
  • Total traffic fatalities (last 5 years): 259

#14 – Worcester County, Massachusetts

  • Share of total driving fatalities involving a drunk driver: 38%
  • Drunk-driving fatality rate: 2.5 per 100k
  • Total drunk-driving fatalities (last 5 years): 104
  • Total traffic fatalities (last 5 years): 272

RELATED
Similar to getting a DUI, if you were convicted of reckless driving, your insurance rates will likely skyrocket. A reckless driving offense can increase insurance costs for many years.

#13 – Hartford County, Connecticut

  • Share of total driving fatalities involving a drunk driver: 38%
  • Drunk-driving fatality rate: 2.64 per 100k
  • Total drunk-driving fatalities (last 5 years): 118
  • Total traffic fatalities (last 5 years): 309

#12 – Fort Bend County, Texas

  • Share of total driving fatalities involving a drunk driver: 39%
  • Drunk-driving fatality rate: 1.78 per 100k
  • Total drunk-driving fatalities (last 5 years): 70
  • Total traffic fatalities (last 5 years): 181

#11 – Cuyahoga County, Ohio

  • Share of total driving fatalities involving a drunk driver: 39%
  • Drunk-driving fatality rate: 2.23 per 100k
  • Total drunk-driving fatalities (last 5 years): 139
  • Total traffic fatalities (last 5 years): 361

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#10 – New Haven County, Connecticut

  • Share of total driving fatalities involving a drunk driver: 39%
  • Drunk-driving fatality rate: 3.31 per 100k
  • Total drunk-driving fatalities (last 5 years): 142
  • Total traffic fatalities (last 5 years): 361

#9 – Denton County, Texas

  • Share of total driving fatalities involving a drunk driver: 40%
  • Drunk-driving fatality rate: 2.1 per 100k
  • Total drunk-driving fatalities (last 5 years): 90
  • Total traffic fatalities (last 5 years): 225

#8 – Dallas County, Texas

  • Share of total driving fatalities involving a drunk driver: 40%
  • Drunk-driving fatality rate: 4.26 per 100k
  • Total drunk-driving fatalities (last 5 years): 562
  • Total traffic fatalities (last 5 years): 1,389

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No matter what your situation is, we can help you find the right insurance policy for you. We’ve got you covered whether you are looking for teenager auto insurance, auto insurance for seniors, or single-parent auto insurance.

#7 – Collin County, Texas

  • Share of total driving fatalities involving a drunk driver: 42%
  • Drunk-driving fatality rate: 2.07 per 100k
  • Total drunk-driving fatalities (last 5 years): 104
  • Total traffic fatalities (last 5 years): 247

#6 – Bexar County, Texas

  • Share of total driving fatalities involving a drunk driver: 42%
  • Drunk-driving fatality rate: 4.03 per 100k
  • Total drunk-driving fatalities (last 5 years): 400
  • Total traffic fatalities (last 5 years): 944

#5 – Tarrant County, Texas

  • Share of total driving fatalities involving a drunk driver: 45%
  • Drunk-driving fatality rate: 3.56 per 100k
  • Total drunk-driving fatalities (last 5 years): 371
  • Total traffic fatalities (last 5 years): 821

RELATED

Drunk driving is often seen as a nighttime issue, with people leaving bars or happy hours and driving home without sobering up. However, day drinking can also pose significant risks, especially during high-traffic periods.

Drunk Driving Definition Card: Worst U.S. Counties for Drunk Driving

Rush-hour fatal crashes due to drunk driving are not uncommon, particularly in the worst cities for drunk driving and the worst cities for rush-hour fatalities, where the likelihood of the worst drunk driving accidents increases during these times.

Are DUIs common in these areas? The answer is yes, especially during high-traffic periods.

#4 – Travis County, Texas

  • Share of total driving fatalities involving a drunk driver: 45%
  • Drunk-driving fatality rate: 4.29 per 100k
  • Total drunk-driving fatalities (last 5 years): 268
  • Total traffic fatalities (last 5 years): 598

#3 – Harris County, Texas

  • Share of total driving fatalities involving a drunk driver: 46%
  • Drunk-driving fatality rate: 4.1 per 100k
  • Total drunk-driving fatalities (last 5 years): 964
  • Total traffic fatalities (last 5 years): 2,102

#2 – Hidalgo County, Texas

  • Share of total driving fatalities involving a drunk driver: 47%
  • Drunk-driving fatality rate: 3.46 per 100k
  • Total drunk-driving fatalities (last 5 years): 150
  • Total traffic fatalities (last 5 years): 318

DID YOU KNOW?

Finding auto insurance with a bad driving record doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Keep in mind that very few people have a perfect driving record.

#1 – El Paso County, Texas

  • Share of total driving fatalities involving a drunk driver: 48%
  • Drunk-driving fatality rate: 4.02 per 100k
  • Total drunk-driving fatalities (last 5 years): 169
  • Total traffic fatalities (last 5 years): 354

All Counties Ranked by Drunk-Driving Problem

When it comes to the impact of drunk driving, not all areas are affected equally. Below, we rank counties across the country based on their drunk-driving issues, shedding light on the regions where this dangerous behavior is most prevalent.

Data here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1AUDH4HvAL3mMxRiOWNZFOB60WAIeMuK9G7-PLFKWMuY/edit#gid=0

CountyFatalities Involving Drunk DriverFatality Rate (per 100k)Drunk-Driving FatalitiesTraffic FatalitiesPopulation (2018)
Lubbock County, TX49%6.194191307,412
El Paso County, TX48%20.1169354840,758
Hays County, TX48%5.662129222,631
Hidalgo County, TX47%17.3150318865,939
Galveston County, TX47%5.796204337,890
Harris County, TX46%20.59642,1024,698,619
Travis County, TX45%21.52685981,248,743
Tarrant County, TX45%17.83718212,084,931
New London County, CT44%4.662139266,784
Douglas County, NE43%16.191210566,880
Brazoria County, TX42%22.282195370,200
Bexar County, TX42%20.14009441,986,049
Cameron County, TX42%16.570167423,908
Collin County, TX42%10.31042471,005,146
Oneida County, NY42%3.23788229,577
Barnstable County, MA42%3.03276213,413
Williamson County, TX41%15.789216566,719
Hampden County, MA41%15.171176470,406
Rockingham County, NH41%3.249120309,176
Lake County, OH41%2.02357230,514
Nueces County, TX40%23.786214362,265
Bell County, TX40%23.182203355,642
Dallas County, TX40%21.35621,3892,637,772
Plymouth County, MA40%15.681204518,132
Denton County, TX40%10.590225859,064
Loudoun County, VA40%6.62767406,850
Brown County, WI40%2.63485263,378
New Haven County, CT39%16.6142361857,620
Fort Bend County, TX39%8.970181787,858
Lexington County, SC39%6.393239295,032
Caddo Parish, LA39%6.073188242,922
St. Clair County, IL39%5.268176261,059
Saratoga County, NY39%2.83280230,163
Montgomery County, TX38%18.6110291590,925
Bristol County, MA38%14.079208564,022
Hartford County, CT38%13.2118309892,697
Worcester County, MA38%12.5104272830,839
Cuyahoga County, OH38%11.21393611,243,857
Fairfield County, CT38%10.599259943,823
Norfolk County, MA38%9.668180705,388
Jackson County, OR38%4.651133219,564
Richland County, SC37%23.296257414,576
Montgomery County, OH37%17.593254532,331
Clackamas County, OR37%15.966178416,075
Smith County, TX37%8.598266230,221
McLennan County, TX37%5.165174254,607
Brazos County, TX37%3.33799226,758
Washoe County, NV36%16.376209465,735
El Paso County, CO36%15.4110307713,856
Chester County, PA36%11.962174522,046
Dane County, WI36%11.261170542,364
Calcasieu Parish, LA36%6.364180203,112
Butte County, CA36%5.361168231,256
Luzerne County, PA36%3.556156317,646
Marion County, OR36%3.358161346,868
York County, ME36%3.33495206,229
Richmond city, VA36%2.32674228,783
Prince George's County, MD35%18.1165466909,308
Mecklenburg County, NC35%15.51704811,093,901
Summit County, OH35%11.663179541,918
Polk County, IA35%8.642120487,204
District of Columbia, DC35%6.747135702,455
Westchester County, NY35%6.361175967,612
Berkeley County, SC35%5.662178221,091
Washington County, PA35%4.446130207,346
Winnebago County, IL35%3.550142284,081
Benton County, WA35%2.52573201,877
Charleston County, SC34%25.4103303405,905
Stanislaus County, CA34%21.3117349549,815
Orleans Parish, LA34%21.283241391,006
Denver County, CO34%12.187257716,492
Hamilton County, OH34%11.594274816,684
Spokane County, WA34%11.358169514,631
Lake County, IL34%9.869203700,832
Providence County, RI34%8.856166636,084
Jefferson County, TX34%4.760175255,001
Madison County, IL34%4.357166264,461
Leon County, FL34%3.856166292,502
Webb County, TX34%3.650146275,910
Lackawanna County, PA34%3.436106210,793
Durham County, NC34%2.946135316,739
Westmoreland County, PA33%17.160180350,611
Sonoma County, CA33%13.869211499,942
Franklin County, OH33%10.81414311,310,300
Multnomah County, OR33%9.577232811,880
Virginia Beach city, VA33%9.342126450,189
Honolulu County, HI33%9.189271980,080
Allegheny County, PA33%8.71063201,218,452
Cook County, IL33%8.34311,2945,180,493
Yakima County, WA33%4.556169251,446
San Luis Obispo County, CA33%3.956172284,010
York County, SC33%3.447142274,118
Jackson County, MO32%19.6137431700,307
Bernalillo County, NM32%19.4132416678,701
Forsyth County, NC32%17.466203379,099
Davidson County, TN32%17.0118365692,587
Lucas County, OH32%14.763194429,899
Jefferson County, CO32%12.271224580,233
Wake County, NC32%9.51043281,092,305
Clark County, WA32%9.144140481,857
Passaic County, NJ32%7.638117503,310
Suffolk County, MA32%5.544135807,252
Middlesex County, MA32%4.6752391,614,714
Lafayette Parish, LA32%3.239120242,782
McHenry County, IL32%2.538119308,570
Dutchess County, NY32%2.536113293,718
Chesterfield County, VA32%2.442134348,556
Duval County, FL31%23.0219703950,181
Greenville County, SC31%22.6116373514,213
Riverside County, CA31%17.74341,3822,450,758
Guilford County, NC31%17.493299533,670
Madison County, AL31%15.657181366,519
Suffolk County, NY31%14.22116841,481,093
Allen County, IN31%14.153173375,351
Milwaukee County, WI31%12.4118375948,201
Will County, IL31%12.385274692,310
Butler County, OH31%11.544142382,378
Ventura County, CA31%9.480257850,967
Contra Costa County, CA31%9.21063411,150,215
Waukesha County, WI31%8.735112403,072
King County, WA31%7.11595192,233,163
Spartanburg County, SC31%5.891291313,888
Sussex County, DE31%5.260192229,286
St. Louis city, MO31%5.279259302,838
Yuma County, AZ31%3.638124212,128
St. Joseph County, IN31%2.635112270,771
Norfolk city, VA31%2.32889244,076
Albany County, NY31%2.132105307,117
Marin County, CA31%1.41858259,666
Mobile County, AL30%27.3113375413,757
Tulare County, CA30%24.0112371465,861
Pulaski County, AR30%20.681266392,680
San Bernardino County, CA30%20.14371,4612,171,603
Jefferson County, AL30%19.3127421659,300
Lee County, FL30%19.2145488754,610
Lane County, OR30%17.968228379,611
Monterey County, CA30%16.371239435,594
Lake County, IN30%16.178259484,411
New Castle County, DE30%15.486288559,335
Solano County, CA30%14.665220446,610
York County, PA30%14.364211448,273
Sacramento County, CA30%14.32207281,540,975
Clark County, NV30%13.83071,0292,231,647
Stark County, OH30%13.751167371,574
Orange County, NY30%12.849161381,951
Anne Arundel County, MD30%11.365216576,031
Gwinnett County, GA30%10.194311927,781
Pierce County, WA30%10.190303891,299
Jefferson Parish, LA30%9.742140434,051
Arapahoe County, CO30%9.461205651,215
Anderson County, SC30%6.666222200,482
Horry County, SC30%6.2106347344,147
Tuscaloosa County, AL30%5.659193208,911
Okaloosa County, FL30%4.142143207,269
Cumberland County, NC30%3.964215332,330
Washington County, AR30%3.036117236,961
Cabarrus County, NC30%2.83099211,342
Cumberland County, PA30%2.734114251,423
Lorain County, OH30%2.641136309,461
New Hanover County, NC30%2.32790232,274
Arlington County, VA30%0.5621237,521
Kern County, CA29%23.3209727896,764
San Joaquin County, CA29%20.2152528752,660
Shelby County, TN29%19.6183637935,764
East Baton Rouge Parish, LA29%18.180280440,956
Pinellas County, FL29%17.6172596975,280
Sarasota County, FL29%17.374257426,718
DeKalb County, GA29%16.0121421756,558
Oklahoma County, OK29%15.3121421792,582
Tulsa County, OK29%15.198337648,360
Adams County, CO29%14.373251511,868
Bucks County, PA29%11.975257628,195
Santa Barbara County, CA29%11.049167446,527
San Diego County, CA29%10.63541,2173,343,364
Onondaga County, NY29%9.544152461,809
Hillsborough County, NH29%8.736125415,247
Monroe County, NY29%8.261210742,474
Kane County, IL29%8.043147534,216
Erie County, NY29%7.266228919,719
Delaware County, PA29%6.235120564,751
Ramsey County, MN29%4.22381550,210
Bronx County, NY29%4.0572001,432,132
Yolo County, CA29%3.438130220,408
Clay County, FL29%3.134117216,072
Fayette County, KY29%3.150172323,780
Union County, NC29%2.833113235,908
Mahoning County, OH29%2.52999229,642
Benton County, AR29%2.230101272,608
Chesapeake city, VA29%2.12584242,634
Ingham County, MI29%2.030104292,735
Thurston County, WA29%1.92791286,419
Volusia County, FL28%27.0148531547,538
Osceola County, FL28%20.475269367,990
Pinal County, AZ28%19.085304447,138
Orange County, FL28%16.72308211,380,645
Wayne County, MI28%14.02468901,753,893
Genesee County, MI28%13.856197406,892
St. Charles County, MO28%11.044154399,182
St. Louis County, MO28%10.0100363996,945
Ada County, ID28%7.435123469,966
Union County, NJ28%7.341146558,067
Merced County, CA28%5.981288274,765
Washington County, OR28%5.734122597,695
Queens County, NY28%4.41013532,278,906
Montgomery County, AL28%4.146163225,763
St. Lucie County, FL28%3.454191321,128
Northampton County, PA28%2.538133304,807
Clermont County, OH28%2.42588205,466
Delaware County, OH28%2.12177204,826
Henrico County, VA28%1.830109329,261
Marion County, FL27%27.8100369359,977
Manatee County, FL27%20.581305394,855
Hillsborough County, FL27%17.72559431,436,888
Fresno County, CA27%17.4173642994,400
Knox County, TN27%17.079296465,289
Hamilton County, TN27%14.352193364,286
Fulton County, GA27%14.21495561,050,114
Pima County, AZ27%14.11465311,039,073
Marion County, IN27%13.9133495954,670
Maricopa County, AZ27%13.25842,2024,410,824
Lehigh County, PA27%11.442156368,100
Seminole County, FL27%11.353199467,832
Baltimore County, MD27%11.293345828,431
Los Angeles County, CA27%9.69663,54810,105,518
Cobb County, GA27%9.471267756,865
Orange County, CA27%8.02559463,185,968
Nassau County, NY27%7.91073941,358,343
Prince William County, VA27%6.229110468,011
Essex County, MA27%5.140148790,638
Escambia County, FL27%4.470255315,534
Fairfax County, VA27%4.3491791,150,795
Baldwin County, AL27%3.943156218,022
Montgomery County, TN27%3.738138205,950
Hawaii County, HI27%3.636133200,983
Chatham County, GA27%3.551190289,195
Canyon County, ID27%2.932121223,499
Clay County, MO27%2.328104246,365
Santa Cruz County, CA27%2.02798274,255
Lancaster County, NE27%1.62695317,272
Polk County, FL26%21.9155597708,009
Lake County, FL26%19.971268356,495
Brevard County, FL26%18.1108413596,849
Palm Beach County, FL26%15.02238421,485,941
Berks County, PA26%12.151196420,152
Washtenaw County, MI26%10.539149370,963
Monmouth County, NJ26%9.257216621,354
Philadelphia County, PA26%8.11294891,584,138
Santa Clara County, CA26%7.81525811,937,570
Oakland County, MI26%6.9873331,259,201
Johnson County, KS26%5.935131597,555
Mohave County, AZ26%5.356217209,550
Montgomery County, MD26%4.7491921,052,567
Hinds County, MS26%4.654206237,085
Hennepin County, MN26%4.4562141,259,428
Alachua County, FL26%4.257219269,956
Johnston County, NC26%4.142163202,675
Buncombe County, NC26%3.140156259,103
Doña Ana County, NM26%2.628105217,522
Erie County, PA26%2.635136272,061
Anchorage Municipality, AK26%2.130114291,538
Cumberland County, ME26%1.82697293,557
Washington County, MN26%0.91245259,201
Sedgwick County, KS25%14.273286513,607
Collier County, FL25%12.447187378,488
Salt Lake County, UT25%7.6883471,152,633
Alameda County, CA25%6.41074261,666,753
Weld County, CO25%4.774294314,305
Jefferson County, MO25%3.742168224,347
St. Johns County, FL25%3.646182254,261
Gaston County, NC25%3.539155222,846
Dauphin County, PA25%2.737144277,097
Cleveland County, OK25%1.826102281,669
Somerset County, NJ25%1.728112331,164
Whatcom County, WA25%1.71975225,685
Williamson County, TN25%1.61975231,729
Hamilton County, IN25%1.11873330,086
Pasco County, FL24%19.5105433539,630
Jefferson County, KY24%13.9107445770,517
Broward County, FL24%13.82701,1051,951,260
Miami-Dade County, FL24%12.93551,4912,761,581
Larimer County, CO24%12.042173350,518
Kent County, MI24%11.575310653,786
Lancaster County, PA24%10.959241543,557
Camden County, NJ24%9.548201507,078
Placer County, CA24%8.132132393,149
Macomb County, MI24%7.263265874,759
Anoka County, MN24%6.22292353,813
DuPage County, IL24%4.542173928,589
Richmond County, NY24%4.01978476,179
Richmond County, GA24%3.131126201,554
Kings County, NY24%2.9763122,582,830
Henry County, GA24%2.832132230,220
Shelby County, AL24%2.628116215,707
Champaign County, IL24%2.02188209,983
Ottawa County, MI24%1.927113290,494
Baltimore city, MD23%7.847203602,495
Snohomish County, WA23%6.150217814,901
Essex County, NJ23%6.048211799,767
Montgomery County, PA23%5.646197828,604
Hall County, GA23%3.232140202,148
Clayton County, GA23%2.840172289,615
St. Tammany Parish, LA23%2.330130258,111
Niagara County, NY23%1.81982210,433
Boulder County, CO23%1.626111326,078
Rockland County, NY23%1.01671325,695
Harrison County, MS22%3.132143206,650
Atlantic County, NJ22%2.939175265,429
Rutherford County, TN22%2.540178324,890
Kalamazoo County, MI22%2.432146264,870
Harford County, MD22%1.72298253,956
Kitsap County, WA22%1.52090269,805
Warren County, OH22%1.41674232,173
Howard County, MD22%1.32194323,196
Douglas County, CO22%1.22089342,776
Burlington County, NJ21%10.346221445,384
Mercer County, NJ21%6.825121369,811
Middlesex County, NJ21%5.546218829,685
San Mateo County, CA21%4.535171769,545
Hudson County, NJ21%3.826124676,061
Davis County, UT20%4.51679351,713
San Francisco County, CA20%3.632156883,305
Bergen County, NJ20%3.533163936,692
Elkhart County, IN20%2.223113205,560
New York County, NY20%2.2361801,628,701
Gloucester County, NJ20%2.232162291,408
Linn County, IA20%1.21368225,909
Yavapai County, AZ19%3.945229231,993
Dakota County, MN19%3.51577425,423
Forsyth County, GA19%1.01266236,612
Greene County, MO18%2.029158291,923
Frederick County, MD17%1.31798255,648
Ocean County, NJ16%5.734216601,651
Utah County, UT15%3.924160622,213
Cherokee County, GA14%0.91281254,149
Morris County, NJ13%3.015115494,228
Weber County, UT11%0.81090256,359

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By identifying these high-risk counties, we can better understand the scope of the drunk-driving problem and work towards creating safer communities for everyone

Methodology: Finding the Worst Counties for Drunk Driving

Fatality statistics were obtained from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System for the period 2014 to 2018. County population statistics were obtained from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey. Only counties with a population of 750,000 or more were considered in the analysis.

Fatalities per 100k residents were calculated as the sum of fatalities for 2014-2018 divided by the sum of the populations for the same years, multiplied by 100,000.

Counties were ranked according to the percentage of fatalities that involved at least one driver having a blood-alcohol level exceeding 0.08 mg/dL, a level that is illegal in all 50 U.S. states. In the event of a tie, the county with the higher per capita rate of alcohol-related fatalities was ranked higher.

Chart showing drunk-driving deaths over last decade remain stable

Aside from the tragic loss of life, drunk driving imposes a significant economic burden. The NHTSA estimates that the cost of alcohol-impaired crashes in the United States was $44 billion in 2010, including expenses related to property damage, medical care, and legal fees.

Understanding how these accidents change your car insurance rate can help you manage the financial consequences effectively. These costs include property damage, medical expenses, legal fees, and more.

The NHTSA further estimates that the total value of “societal harm” (such as loss of quality of life) from alcohol-related traffic crashes for that same year would be $201.1 billion.

Many states are introducing new laws and technologies to keep drunk drivers off the road and to prevent their status of being among the worst states for drunk driving accidents.

For example, several states have created zero-tolerance laws for drivers under the age of 21. To cut down on repeat offenses, some states are also using ignition interlocks for drivers who have already been convicted of drunk driving.

Ignition interlocks require drivers to take a breathalyzer test to measure BAC before driving a vehicle, and the vehicle will not start if the breathalyzer detects alcohol. According to the CDC, ignition interlocks can reduce repeat offenses for DWI by 70 percent.

Drunk driving isn’t limited to those behind the wheel. In El Paso County, where 48% of traffic fatalities involve alcohol, the impact stretches to passengers, pedestrians, and even children.

Melanie Musson Published Insurance Expert

Furthermore, 37 states and the District of Columbia have implemented sobriety checkpoints, which are often used on highways during major holiday weekends like the Fourth of July or New Year’s Eve, when drinking is common and the likelihood of drunk driving is greater.

A combination of legislative action to discourage drunk driving, as well as greater public awareness of the dangers of drunk driving, suggests that alcohol-related fatality rates could decline in the years ahead.

If you live in an area with a high number of drunk driving deaths, your insurance rates could rise, even if you’ve never been a part of those accidents. Fortunately, there are ways to lower your rates. Enter your ZIP code into our online quote generator to find the best rates for your area based on your demographic information and driving history.

Frequently Asked Questions

What country has the most DUIs?

The United States has one of the highest DUI rates globally, with millions of arrests annually.

Can I go to Mexico with a DUI?

Entry into Mexico may be denied if you have a DUI on your record, depending on the severity and when it occurred.

What state has the most DUI deaths?

North Dakota has the most DUI deaths per capita, making it one of the worst states for drunk driving fatalities.

Which county in the US has the highest DUI fatality rate in the country?

Wondering what county has the highest DUI rate? According to our study of the highest DUI rates by county, El Paso County, Texas, has the highest DUI fatality rate in the country with 48% of traffic deaths involving a drunk driver.

What city has the highest DUI rate?

Where are the most DUIs in America? Cheyenne, Wisconsin, holds the title of the DUI capital of the United States, with DUI rates nearly triple the national average. According to statistics on DUI, smaller cities or towns often report higher arrest rates for DUIs, as indicated by FBI data.

What state has the highest rate of drunk driving?

Based on our calculations of DUI conviction rates by state, which integrate FBI DUI arrest data with Census population statistics, North Dakota emerges as the state with the highest rate of drunk driving arrests, with 633 DUI arrests per 100,000 residents. This makes it one of the states with the highest DUI rates.

What’s the most dangerous holiday?

The most dangerous holiday can vary each year, but it typically falls on one of three major holidays: Independence Day, Memorial Day, or Labor Day. These holidays consistently see the highest number of traffic deaths, often due to drunk driving, especially in the worst DUI states.

How many times will a person drive drunk before being caught?

On average, a person will drive under the influence 80 times before their first DUI arrest. This statistic highlights the challenge even in states with the strictest DUI laws, such as North Dakota, which are among the worst drunk driving states.

How many lives are lost due to drunk driving?

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, over 10,000 people die in traffic accidents involving a drunk driver every year.

What is the most dangerous day to drive?

Saturday is consistently the most dangerous day to drive, with more people on the road after the workweek, and Saturday night is still considered a night to party, which adds to the number of drunk driving traffic deaths.

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