Key DWI and DUI Statistics and Analysis in 2025

Researched 22 sources from 18 unique websites. Updated: 2025-11-19.

Drunk driving remains America’s deadliest crime on wheels, killing 12,429 people in 2023 alone. Every day, about 37 people die in alcohol-related crashes, and about 921 are injured. Additionally, about 3 in 10 Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related crash at some point in their lives.

Technology has made some progress in reducing such crashes – 40 years ago, almost half of the traffic deaths involved alcohol-impaired crashes. Developments, including airbags, reactive braking, and mandatory ignition interlock devices for repeat DWI offenders, have lowered the number of deaths, but DUI still accounts for 32% of all traffic fatalities. 

Michael & Associates has gathered the latest drunk-driving statistics to explain the magnitude of the problem.

General Statistics

• Every day, 34 people in the U.S. die in drunk-driving crashes, according to 2023 data.
• Drunk driving accounts for one death every 42 minutes.
• Every day, around 920 people are injured in a drunk-driving crash.
• Alcohol-impaired drivers caused 32% of motor vehicle traffic deaths in the U.S. in 2023.
• 80% of drunk drivers are male.
• 40% of alcohol-related crashes occur in rural areas.
• Fatalities rise sharply over weekends and holidays.
• Alcohol-related fatalities declined by 8.1% between 2022 and 2023 (1,029 fewer deaths). 
• 804,926 Americans were arrested and accused of DUI in 2024, according to estimates from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR). This accounts for 11% of all arrests nationwide.
• One DWI can cost a defendant up to $30,000 in fines, fees, and other penalties.

Over the past decade, the United States has seen a fluctuating number of fatalities due to alcohol impairment, which is defined as crashes involving at least one driver with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 grams per deciliter or higher.

U.S. DWI/DUI Fatalities (2012–2023)

Fatalities declined through 2019, then spiked during the pandemic years. The rate has since stabilized but remains high.

DWI Fatalities By State

It’s illegal to drive in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico with a BAC of .08 g/dL or higher. Still, alcohol-related fatalities have been increasing year-over-year since 2020.

However, it should be noted that over the past 40 years, DUI-related fatalities on America’s roadways have decreased by 45%.

Unfortunately, DWI accidents continue to happen all over the country. Texas and California routinely have the highest number of total deaths. However, when you examine deaths per capita, Montana, South Carolina, and North Dakota have the highest percentages.

Here is a breakdown of total highway fatalities per state, including BACs of .08 or higher and BACs of .15 or higher.

Drunk-Driving Deaths By Gender

Roughly 80% of fatal DUI crashes involve men.

DUI Deaths By Age 

The remaining 11.6% of fatalities either do not provide an age or are outside these age groups.

By Type of Vehicle Involved in Fatal DUIs

Nearly 40% of victims in drunk-driving crashes are passengers or people in other vehicles. However, motorcycles are the most common type of vehicle involved in drunk-driving-related accidents.

Where & When Crashes Occur

About 60% of alcohol-related crashes occur in urban areas, while 40% happen in rural areas.

• 68% occur at night.
• 41% of holiday crashes involve alcohol.
• Summer months (June–August) account for 30% of all fatalities.

Social Media and DWI Awareness

Across Facebook, Reddit, TikTok, and YouTube, users seek fast, relatable answers about DWI laws.

Common concerns include:

• “Can social media posts be used in court?” (Yes)

• “Do I need a lawyer for a first DWI?” (Yes, for the optimal outcome)

• “Can I refuse a breath test?” (Yes, however, a refusal can lead to an automatic driver's license suspension)

• “How much does a first DWI cost?” (Anywhere from $2,000 to upwards of $30,000, depending on the specifics of your case)

• “How long will a DWI stay on my record?” (This varies by state, but in Texas, it will remain permanently unless expunged.)

Unfortunately, a lot of false information spreads on social media, and unverifiable sources can't always be trusted. It's always best to consult a legal professional before making any decisions.

Economic Impact of Drunk Driving

Alcohol-related vehicle crashes cost Americans $44 billion annually, including:

• Medical and emergency costs
• Legal expenses
• Property damage
• Workplace and insurance losses

Prevention & Public Safety

Alcohol-related deaths on U.S. roads have decreased due to multiple measures such as minimum drinking age laws and high-visibility enforcement. According to NHTSA, minimum drinking age laws have saved more than 31,000 lives over the past 40 years. 

However, there’s still more to be done to increase U.S. road safety, considering that alcohol-impaired drivers involved in fatal crashes were 4 times more likely to have prior DWI convictions than drivers with no alcohol (8% and 2%, respectively). Each day, about 300,000 people drive drunk, but only 3,200 get arrested.

What Can We Do to Help?

You can also help save lives. Here is what you can do: 

• Don’t drink and drive. Instead, call a taxi or a sober friend.
• If you plan to drink, choose a non-drinking friend as your driver.
• If someone you know has been drinking, keep them away from driving.
• If you see an alcohol-impaired driver, call your local police.
• Wear a seatbelt to protect yourself from alcohol-impaired drivers.

Key Conclusions

• In 2022, Texas ranked #3 for total DWI-related deaths (42%). Rhode Island and South Carolina were tied with 43% each.
• Fatal crashes tend to happen late at night and involve young men
• Despite a proliferation of false information, social media is now central to how Americans learn about DWI law.

Sources

Michael & Associates research; National Highway Traffic Safety Administration; New York State Police, Texas DPS Crime Records Division (2025); Responsibility.org; Mothers Against Drunk Driving; Texas Open Data Portal; Google Trends (2024–2025); Reddit, TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, and major media reports.

DWI Locations

• Austin area / Central Texas: Travis, Williamson, Bastrop, Bell, Caldwell, Coryell, Lampasas, Llano, Hays, Milam, Blanco
• Dallas / Fort Worth area: Dallas, Collin, Denton, Ellis, Rockwall, Tarrant
• Houston area: Harris, Galveston, Fort Bend, Montgomery, Waller, Brazoria
• San Antonio area: Atascosa, Bexar, Bandera, Comal, Gillespie, Guadalupe, Kendall, Medina, Wilson

Additional Resources

States with the strictest (and least strict) DWI/DUI laws

Will a DUI make you fail a background check?