Drunk driving remains a persistent problem in California, with multiple cities in the state appearing in a recent nationwide list of fatal drunk driving rates.
One-third of all crash fatalities in the U.S. involve drunk drivers, according to a new analysis by van der Veen, Hartson & Levin.
In 2022, nearly one person was killed in a drunk driving accident every 39 minutes. The same year, 13,524 people lost their lives in a car accident where a driver had a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) of 0.08% or more, according to the study.
The study examined fatal drunk driving crashes across the 300 largest cities in the country between 2018 and 2022 and identified 75 cities with the highest rates of fatal drunk driving accidents.
Large Number of California Cities
Among the 75 cities in the U.S., 19 are located in California, highlighting the state’s significant presence in the conversation around road safety.
Out of the 75 cities, two California cities appeared in the top five: San Bernardino and Corona.
While no other California cities were featured in the top 10, the state continues to appear consistently throughout the list, with many cities in the upper tiers.
Here are the California cities with the highest rate of fatal drunk driving accidents:
- San Bernardino: Rank 2
- Corona: Rank 4
- Ontario: Rank 12
- Victorville: Rank 14
- Temecula: Rank 20
- Riverside: Rank 23
- Ventura: Rank 25
- Moreno Valley: Rank 28
- Modesto: Rank 30
- Sacramento: Rank 33
- Fresno: Rank 35
- Vallejo: Rank 37
- Stockton: Rank 45
- Palmdale: Rank 50
- Oceanside: Rank 54
- Fairfield: Rank 55
- Bakersfield: Rank 58
- Richmond: Rank 67
- Pomona: Rank 73
The list includes a mix of inland, coastal, urban, and suburban communities.
Inland cities, including San Bernardino, Ontario, Corona, Moreno Valley, Victorville, and Riverside, are prevalent across the list. This suggests that drunk driving fatalities are a significant issue in these regions.
At the same time, Central Valley cities (such as Modesto, Fresno, and Bakersfield) also appear on the list alongside Northern California cities (such as Sacramento, Stockton, and Vallejo).
In a sign that drunk driving fatalities are not only restricted to major metropolitan centers, smaller suburban communities, including Fairfield, Temecula, Pomona, and Palmdale, are part of the ranking as well.
Widespread National Problem
The findings come against the backdrop of a broader national drunk driving issue.
Although it is illegal to drive under the influence, one person was killed in a drunk-driving crash every 44 minutes in the U.S. in 2024, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). More than 11,900 people were killed in preventable crashes caused by drunk drivers.
On average, over 11,500 people were killed annually from 2015 to 2024 due to drunk driving accidents, according to the NHTSA.
Odessa, TX, emerged as the city with the highest rate of drunk driving fatalities, according to the study. Between 2018 and 2022, the city reported 31 fatal drunk driving accidents. Of these 31 accidents, 23 were caused by impaired drivers with a BAC of 0.15% or higher.
The top 10 cities with the highest rate of fatal drunk driving accidents were:
- Odessa, TX
- San Bernardino, CA
- Pueblo, CO
- Corona, CA
- Hartford, CT
- Midland, TX
- Dallas, TX
- Chattanooga, TN
- Detroit, MI
- Charleston, SC
Another study concluded that Texas reported the highest rate of drunk drivers involved in fatal car crashes, with over 40% of the drivers having a BAC of 0.08% or higher.
The legal BAC limit in the U.S. is 0.08% for drivers aged 21 or older, except Utah (which has a stricter limit of 0.05%), according to the NHTSA.
One drink is usually defined as 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of liquor, according to the Cleveland Clinic. At 0.08%, an individual may have reduced muscle coordination, find it difficult to detect danger, and have impaired reasoning or judgment.
Drivers found with a BAC level higher than 0.08% can be charged with DWI or DUI, depending on the state.
At 0.15% BAC, an individual may experience altered mood, nausea and vomiting, and loss of balance, along with loss of muscle control, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
This level of alcohol in a driver’s blood substantially impairs a driver’s control of their vehicle, attention to driving tasks, and the required visual and auditory information processing, according to the NHTSA.
When an impaired driver has a BAC of 0.15% or higher, it is considered aggravated driving under the influence. This charge attracts a harsher punishment than the usual DUI charge, and can also lead to a felony.
Methodology
Van der Veen, Hartson & Levin analyzed data using the NHTSA’s Fatality and Injury Reporting System. The study compared the number of fatal drunk driving accidents per 100,000 residents across 300 cities between 2018 and 2022.
The rate was based on fatal accidents caused by impaired drivers with a BAC of 0.08% or higher.
The study also included the number of impaired drivers with a BAC of 0.15% or higher to emphasize the issue of aggravated drunk driving. The number of drivers with a BAC of over 0.15% accounted for a significant volume of fatal drunk driving crashes between 2018 and 2022.
You know where they don’t have so many DUI deaths? Countries with sensible and efficient public transportation. Buses, streetcars, regional trains, etc in many places negate the need for driving everywhere. I know the American’s love their cars, but one way to significantly lower DUIs in general would be to have better options. Late night buses/trams and also more rigorous driver’s licensing requirements might be a way to stem this deadly flow. Just a thought.