Special Report

States Where Drunk Driving Causes the Most Driving Deaths

conejota / Getty Images

Despite the widespread lockdowns and the decrease in vehicular travel at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, traffic fatalities still managed to increase, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. After three consecutive years of declining fatalities, there were 38,824 traffic-related deaths in 2020 – the highest figure since 2007. 

The rise in traffic deaths corresponded with an increase in risky driving behaviors. Three major factors in the rising fatalities were drunk driving, speeding, and failure to wear seatbelts. Of 8,643 alcohol impaired drivers involved in fatal crashes in 2020, 1,638 were also unrestrained and speeding. In total, there were 11,654 alcohol-impaired driving fatalities nationwide, accounting for 30% of all 2020 traffic fatalities. (These are America’s drunkest cities.)

To determine the states where drunk driving causes the most accidents, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed data on alcohol-impaired driving fatalities reported in each state in 2020, using the NHTSA’s report Overview of Motor Vehicle Crashes in 2020 published in March of 2022. States were ranked by the percent of alcohol-impaired driving fatalities of all driving deaths.

Nationally, there was a 14% increase in alcohol-related fatalities from 2019 to 2020. Alcohol-related fatalities increased in 40 states. California and Texas had the most alcohol-related driving fatalities, with 1,159 lives lost in California and 1,495 in Texas. Drunk driving fatalities increased by 20% in California and accounted for 30% of all driving fatalities, while they increased by nearly 12% in Texas and accounted for 39% of all fatalities.

Montana, Rhode Island, and Connecticut lead in how much drunk-driving fatalities contributed to overall driving deaths, with 40% or more of all traffic deaths involving alcohol. Some of the largest increases in fatalities were among people aged 25-34, as well as on urban roadways. (These are the most dangerous cities for driving.)

Click here to see the states where drunk driving causes the most driving deaths.
Click here to read our detailed methodology

grandriver / iStock via Getty Images

50. Utah
> Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2020: 21% (or 58) of all driving deaths
> Chg. in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2019-2020: +52.6% (20)
> Total driving fatalities, 2020: 276 — 15th least
> Total fatalities change, 2019-2020: +11.3% (28 total)
> Population: 3,205,958 — 21st smallest

[in-text-ad]

CRobertson / iStock via Getty Images

49. Mississippi
> Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2020: 21% (or 162) of all driving deaths
> Chg. in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2019-2020: -2.4% (-4)
> Total driving fatalities, 2020: 752 — 20th most
> Total fatalities change, 2019-2020: +17.1% (110 total)
> Population: 2,976,149 — 17th smallest

prospective56 / iStock via Getty Images

48. Alaska
> Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2020: 22% (or 14) of all driving deaths
> Chg. in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2019-2020: -33.3% (-7)
> Total driving fatalities, 2020: 64 — 2nd least
> Total fatalities change, 2019-2020: -4.5% (-03 total)
> Population: 731,545 — 3rd smallest

Ultima_Gaina / iStock via Getty Images

47. Delaware
> Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2020: 23% (or 27) of all driving deaths
> Chg. in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2019-2020: -15.6% (-5)
> Total driving fatalities, 2020: 116 — 7th least
> Total fatalities change, 2019-2020: -12.1% (-16 total)
> Population: 973,764 — 6th smallest

[in-text-ad-2]

Baxternator / iStock via Getty Images

46. Kansas
> Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2020: 23% (or 96) of all driving deaths
> Chg. in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2019-2020: +10.3% (9)
> Total driving fatalities, 2020: 426 — 22nd least
> Total fatalities change, 2019-2020: +3.9% (16 total)
> Population: 2,913,314 — 16th smallest

SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images

45. Georgia
> Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2020: 24% (or 402) of all driving deaths
> Chg. in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2019-2020: +13.2% (47)
> Total driving fatalities, 2020: 1,664 — 4th most
> Total fatalities change, 2019-2020: +11.5% (172 total)
> Population: 10,617,423 — 8th largest

[in-text-ad]

Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images

44. Alabama
> Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2020: 25% (or 236) of all driving deaths
> Chg. in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2019-2020: -13.2% (-36)
> Total driving fatalities, 2020: 934 — 15th most
> Total fatalities change, 2019-2020: +0.4% (04 total)
> Population: 4,903,185 — 24th largest

ferrantraite / E+ via Getty Images

43. Nevada
> Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2020: 26% (or 83) of all driving deaths
> Chg. in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2019-2020: -6.7% (-6)
> Total driving fatalities, 2020: 317 — 17th least
> Total fatalities change, 2019-2020: +4.3% (13 total)
> Population: 3,080,156 — 19th smallest

Allard1 / iStock via Getty Images

42. New Jersey
> Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2020: 26% (or 151) of all driving deaths
> Chg. in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2019-2020: +17.1% (22)
> Total driving fatalities, 2020: 584 — 25th most
> Total fatalities change, 2019-2020: +4.7% (26 total)
> Population: 8,882,190 — 11th largest

[in-text-ad-2]

HittProductions / iStock via Getty Images

41. Arkansas
> Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2020: 26% (or 166) of all driving deaths
> Chg. in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2019-2020: +26.7% (35)
> Total driving fatalities, 2020: 638 — 22nd most
> Total fatalities change, 2019-2020: +24.9% (127 total)
> Population: 3,017,804 — 18th smallest

Ivelin Denev / iStock via Getty Images

40. Kentucky
> Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2020: 26% (or 199) of all driving deaths
> Chg. in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2019-2020: +31.8% (48)
> Total driving fatalities, 2020: 780 — 19th most
> Total fatalities change, 2019-2020: +6.6% (48 total)
> Population: 4,467,673 — 25th smallest

[in-text-ad]

franckreporter / E+ via Getty Images

39. Florida
> Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2020: 26% (or 871) of all driving deaths
> Chg. in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2019-2020: +12.4% (96)
> Total driving fatalities, 2020: 3,331 — 3rd most
> Total fatalities change, 2019-2020: +4.6% (146 total)
> Population: 21,477,737 — 3rd largest

YinYang / E+ via Getty Images

38. Minnesota
> Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2020: 27% (or 107) of all driving deaths
> Chg. in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2019-2020: +25.9% (22)
> Total driving fatalities, 2020: 394 — 20th least
> Total fatalities change, 2019-2020: +8.2% (30 total)
> Population: 5,639,632 — 22nd largest

JTGrafix / iStock via Getty Images

37. Oklahoma
> Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2020: 27% (or 179) of all driving deaths
> Chg. in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2019-2020: +14.7% (23)
> Total driving fatalities, 2020: 652 — 21st most
> Total fatalities change, 2019-2020: +1.9% (12 total)
> Population: 3,956,971 — 23rd smallest

[in-text-ad-2]

pidjoe / E+ via Getty Images

36. New York
> Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2020: 27% (or 286) of all driving deaths
> Chg. in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2019-2020: +11.7% (30)
> Total driving fatalities, 2020: 1,046 — 13th most
> Total fatalities change, 2019-2020: +12% (112 total)
> Population: 19,453,561 — 4th largest

Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images

35. Tennessee
> Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2020: 27% (or 326) of all driving deaths
> Chg. in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2019-2020: +12.8% (37)
> Total driving fatalities, 2020: 1,217 — 7th most
> Total fatalities change, 2019-2020: +7.1% (81 total)
> Population: 6,829,174 — 16th largest

[in-text-ad]

davidkl / E+ via Getty Images

34. Vermont
> Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2020: 28% (or 18) of all driving deaths
> Chg. in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2019-2020: +100% (9)
> Total driving fatalities, 2020: 62 — the least
> Total fatalities change, 2019-2020: +31.9% (15 total)
> Population: 623,989 — 2nd smallest

Meinzahn / iStock via Getty Images

33. Louisiana
> Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2020: 28% (or 233) of all driving deaths
> Chg. in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2019-2020: +8.9% (19)
> Total driving fatalities, 2020: 828 — 18th most
> Total fatalities change, 2019-2020: +13.9% (101 total)
> Population: 4,648,794 — 25th largest

alexeys / iStock via Getty Images

32. Indiana
> Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2020: 28% (or 249) of all driving deaths
> Chg. in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2019-2020: +24.5% (49)
> Total driving fatalities, 2020: 897 — 16th most
> Total fatalities change, 2019-2020: +10.7% (87 total)
> Population: 6,732,219 — 17th largest

[in-text-ad-2]

Art Wager / E+ via Getty Images

31. Arizona
> Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2020: 28% (or 293) of all driving deaths
> Chg. in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2019-2020: +13.1% (34)
> Total driving fatalities, 2020: 1,054 — 12th most
> Total fatalities change, 2019-2020: +7.7% (75 total)
> Population: 7,278,717 — 14th largest

ChrisBoswell / iStock via Getty Images

30. Michigan
> Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2020: 28% (or 306) of all driving deaths
> Chg. in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2019-2020: +15.9% (42)
> Total driving fatalities, 2020: 1,084 — 10th most
> Total fatalities change, 2019-2020: +9.9% (98 total)
> Population: 9,986,857 — 10th largest

[in-text-ad]

Shunyu Fan / iStock via Getty Images

29. Idaho
> Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2020: 29% (or 61) of all driving deaths
> Chg. in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2019-2020: -11.6% (-8)
> Total driving fatalities, 2020: 214 — 12th least
> Total fatalities change, 2019-2020: -4.5% (-10 total)
> Population: 1,787,065 — 12th smallest

Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images

28. West Virginia
> Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2020: 29% (or 76) of all driving deaths
> Chg. in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2019-2020: +35.7% (20)
> Total driving fatalities, 2020: 267 — 14th least
> Total fatalities change, 2019-2020: +2.7% (07 total)
> Population: 1,792,147 — 13th smallest

DenisTangneyJr / E+ via Getty Images

27. Massachusetts
> Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2020: 29% (or 98) of all driving deaths
> Chg. in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2019-2020: -12.5% (-14)
> Total driving fatalities, 2020: 343 — 19th least
> Total fatalities change, 2019-2020: +2.1% (07 total)
> Population: 6,892,503 — 15th largest

[in-text-ad-2]

Alex Potemkin / iStock via Getty Images

26. Pennsylvania
> Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2020: 29% (or 322) of all driving deaths
> Chg. in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2019-2020: +7.7% (23)
> Total driving fatalities, 2020: 1,129 — 9th most
> Total fatalities change, 2019-2020: +6.6% (70 total)
> Population: 12,801,989 — 5th largest

RudyBalasko / iStock via Getty Images

25. Colorado
> Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2020: 30% (or 186) of all driving deaths
> Chg. in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2019-2020: +16.3% (26)
> Total driving fatalities, 2020: 622 — 23rd most
> Total fatalities change, 2019-2020: +4.2% (25 total)
> Population: 5,758,736 — 21st largest

[in-text-ad]

Peeter Viisimaa / iStock via Getty Images

24. South Carolina
> Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2020: 30% (or 315) of all driving deaths
> Chg. in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2019-2020: +14.1% (39)
> Total driving fatalities, 2020: 1,064 — 11th most
> Total fatalities change, 2019-2020: +5.8% (58 total)
> Population: 5,148,714 — 23rd largest

rodclementphotography / iStock via Getty Images

23. North Carolina
> Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2020: 30% (or 454) of all driving deaths
> Chg. in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2019-2020: +17.6% (68)
> Total driving fatalities, 2020: 1,538 — 5th most
> Total fatalities change, 2019-2020: +5.6% (81 total)
> Population: 10,488,084 — 9th largest

vlvart / iStock via Getty Images

22. California
> Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2020: 30% (or 1,159) of all driving deaths
> Chg. in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2019-2020: +20% (193)
> Total driving fatalities, 2020: 3,847 — 2nd most
> Total fatalities change, 2019-2020: +3.4% (128 total)
> Population: 39,512,223 — the largest

[in-text-ad-2]

400tmax / E+ via Getty Images

21. Hawaii
> Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2020: 31% (or 27) of all driving deaths
> Chg. in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2019-2020: -25% (-9)
> Total driving fatalities, 2020: 85 — 4th least
> Total fatalities change, 2019-2020: -21.3% (-23 total)
> Population: 1,415,872 — 11th smallest

grandriver / iStock via Getty Images

20. Nebraska
> Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2020: 31% (or 73) of all driving deaths
> Chg. in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2019-2020: +21.7% (13)
> Total driving fatalities, 2020: 233 — 13th least
> Total fatalities change, 2019-2020: -6% (-15 total)
> Population: 1,934,408 — 14th smallest

[in-text-ad]

floridastock / iStock via Getty Images

19. Maryland
> Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2020: 32% (or 183) of all driving deaths
> Chg. in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2019-2020: +9.6% (16)
> Total driving fatalities, 2020: 567 — 25th least
> Total fatalities change, 2019-2020: +6% (32 total)
> Population: 6,045,680 — 19th largest

ChrisBoswell / iStock via Getty Images

18. Missouri
> Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2020: 32% (or 312) of all driving deaths
> Chg. in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2019-2020: +32.2% (76)
> Total driving fatalities, 2020: 987 — 14th most
> Total fatalities change, 2019-2020: +12% (106 total)
> Population: 6,137,428 — 18th largest

Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images

17. Illinois
> Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2020: 32% (or 379) of all driving deaths
> Chg. in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2019-2020: +21.9% (68)
> Total driving fatalities, 2020: 1,194 — 8th most
> Total fatalities change, 2019-2020: +18.3% (185 total)
> Population: 12,671,821 — 6th largest

[in-text-ad-2]

digidreamgrafix / iStock via Getty Images

16. New Mexico
> Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2020: 33% (or 130) of all driving deaths
> Chg. in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2019-2020: +4% (5)
> Total driving fatalities, 2020: 398 — 21st least
> Total fatalities change, 2019-2020: -6.4% (-27 total)
> Population: 2,096,829 — 15th smallest

krblokhin / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

15. Wyoming
> Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2020: 34% (or 44) of all driving deaths
> Chg. in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2019-2020: +33.3% (11)
> Total driving fatalities, 2020: 127 — 8th least
> Total fatalities change, 2019-2020: -13.6% (-20 total)
> Population: 578,759 — the smallest

[in-text-ad]

Maksymowicz / iStock via Getty Images

14. Iowa
> Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2020: 34% (or 113) of all driving deaths
> Chg. in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2019-2020: +10.8% (11)
> Total driving fatalities, 2020: 337 — 18th least
> Total fatalities change, 2019-2020: +0.3% (01 total)
> Population: 3,155,070 — 20th smallest

AlenaMozhjer / iStock via Getty Images

13. Wisconsin
> Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2020: 34% (or 210) of all driving deaths
> Chg. in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2019-2020: +12.9% (24)
> Total driving fatalities, 2020: 614 — 24th most
> Total fatalities change, 2019-2020: +8.3% (47 total)
> Population: 5,822,434 — 20th largest

SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images

12. Virginia
> Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2020: 34% (or 286) of all driving deaths
> Chg. in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2019-2020: +20.7% (49)
> Total driving fatalities, 2020: 850 — 17th most
> Total fatalities change, 2019-2020: +2.3% (19 total)
> Population: 8,535,519 — 12th largest

[in-text-ad-2]

11. North Dakota
> Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2020: 35% (or 35) of all driving deaths
> Chg. in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2019-2020: -16.7% (-7)
> Total driving fatalities, 2020: 100 — 5th least
> Total fatalities change, 2019-2020: +0% (00 total)
> Population: 762,062 — 4th smallest

drnadig / E+ via Getty Images

10. South Dakota
> Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2020: 35% (or 49) of all driving deaths
> Chg. in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2019-2020: +75% (21)
> Total driving fatalities, 2020: 141 — 9th least
> Total fatalities change, 2019-2020: +38.2% (39 total)
> Population: 884,659 — 5th smallest

[in-text-ad]

peeterv / iStock via Getty Images

9. Washington
> Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2020: 35% (or 199) of all driving deaths
> Chg. in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2019-2020: +9.9% (18)
> Total driving fatalities, 2020: 560 — 24th least
> Total fatalities change, 2019-2020: +4.1% (22 total)
> Population: 7,614,893 — 13th largest

DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images

8. New Hampshire
> Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2020: 36% (or 37) of all driving deaths
> Chg. in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2019-2020: -2.6% (-1)
> Total driving fatalities, 2020: 104 — 6th least
> Total fatalities change, 2019-2020: +3% (03 total)
> Population: 1,359,711 — 10th smallest

Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images

7. Ohio
> Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2020: 36% (or 448) of all driving deaths
> Chg. in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2019-2020: +23.8% (86)
> Total driving fatalities, 2020: 1,230 — 6th most
> Total fatalities change, 2019-2020: +6.7% (77 total)
> Population: 11,689,100 — 7th largest

[in-text-ad-2]

Esdelval / iStock via Getty Images

6. Oregon
> Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2020: 38% (or 191) of all driving deaths
> Chg. in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2019-2020: +11.7% (20)
> Total driving fatalities, 2020: 508 — 23rd least
> Total fatalities change, 2019-2020: +3% (15 total)
> Population: 4,217,737 — 24th smallest

Ultima_Gaina / iStock via Getty Images

5. Maine
> Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2020: 39% (or 64) of all driving deaths
> Chg. in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2019-2020: +30.6% (15)
> Total driving fatalities, 2020: 164 — 10th least
> Total fatalities change, 2019-2020: +4.5% (07 total)
> Population: 1,344,212 — 9th smallest

[in-text-ad]

typhoonski / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

4. Texas
> Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2020: 39% (or 1,495) of all driving deaths
> Chg. in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2019-2020: +11.7% (157)
> Total driving fatalities, 2020: 3,874 — the most
> Total fatalities change, 2019-2020: +7% (255 total)
> Population: 28,995,881 — 2nd largest

Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images

3. Connecticut
> Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2020: 40% (or 118) of all driving deaths
> Chg. in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2019-2020: +20.4% (20)
> Total driving fatalities, 2020: 295 — 16th least
> Total fatalities change, 2019-2020: +18.5% (46 total)
> Population: 3,565,287 — 22nd smallest

Image Source / Image Source via Getty Images

2. Rhode Island
> Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2020: 42% (or 28) of all driving deaths
> Chg. in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2019-2020: +16.7% (4)
> Total driving fatalities, 2020: 67 — 3rd least
> Total fatalities change, 2019-2020: +17.5% (10 total)
> Population: 1,059,361 — 7th smallest

[in-text-ad-2]

krblokhin / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

1. Montana
> Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2020: 45% (or 96) of all driving deaths
> Chg. in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2019-2020: +45.5% (30)
> Total driving fatalities, 2020: 213 — 11th least
> Total fatalities change, 2019-2020: +15.8% (29 total)
> Population: 1,068,778 — 8th smallest

Methodology

To identify the states where drunk driving causes the most accidents, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed alcohol-impaired driving fatalities reported in each state in 2020 from the Overview of Motor Vehicle Crashes in 2020, which was published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in March of 2022. The number of fatalities for 2019 and 2020 are also from the report. Total population figures are from the 2019 American Community Survey 1-year estimates. Ties were broken using the total number of alcohol-impaired driving fatalities.

Is Your Money Earning the Best Possible Rate? (Sponsor)

Let’s face it: If your money is just sitting in a checking account, you’re losing value every single day. With most checking accounts offering little to no interest, the cash you worked so hard to save is gradually being eroded by inflation.

However, by moving that money into a high-yield savings account, you can put your cash to work, growing steadily with little to no effort on your part. In just a few clicks, you can set up a high-yield savings account and start earning interest immediately.

There are plenty of reputable banks and online platforms that offer competitive rates, and many of them come with zero fees and no minimum balance requirements. Click here to see if you’re earning the best possible rate on your money!

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.