Special Report
When You're Most Likely to Die in a Drunk Driving Accident in Every State
Published:
Traffic fatalities spiked in the United States at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic and have continued to climb. According to a survey conducted by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, the trend is partially the result of rising instances of risky behavior among motorists – including driving under the influence of alcohol. (Here is a look at the states where car deaths are increasing the most.)
Deaths attributable to drunk driving rose by a reported 14% from 2019 to 2020. All told, there were 10,598 fatal crashes involving alcohol in 2020. These accidents resulted in 11,654 deaths, including nearly 1,000 pedestrians.
Based on these numbers, someone is killed in a drunk-driving crash every 45 minutes in the United States, on average. Still, data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows that traffic fatalities resulting from alcohol impaired driving are more common at certain times of day.
Using 2020 data from the NHTSA, 24/7 Wall St. identified the time of day when fatal drunk-driving crashes are the most common in each state. Time periods are broken into three hour increments, from midnight to 11:59 p.m. These figures, while comprehensive, are preliminary and subject to modification by the NHTSA.
Nationwide, the largest share of fatal drunk-driving crashes – 23% in 2020 – occurred in the three hour period from 9 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. The three hours from 6 p.m. to 8:59 p.m. accounted for the second largest share, at about 20%. Meanwhile, only 3% of fatal drunk-driving accidents took place between 9 a.m. and 11:59 a.m.
While many states follow the national pattern, there are also some notable outliers – including several states where most deadly drunk-driving crashes occur in the mid-afternoon or the early morning.
The crashes tallied on this list involved a driver with a blood alcohol content of at least 0.08% – the legal limit for operating a motor vehicle in the United States. They include both single and multiple vehicle accidents, and each resulted in the deaths of either drivers, passengers, motorcyclists, and pedestrians. Here is a look at the car models people drive drunk the most.
Click here to see when you’re most likely to die in a drunk driving accident in every state.
Alabama
> Time of day with most fatal crashes involving alcohol: 9 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
> Fatal, alcohol-related crashes from 9 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. in 2020: 47 (21.9% of all fatal, alcohol-related crashes)
> Total fatal crashes involving alcohol in 2020: 215 (25.2% of all fatal crashes – 9th lowest among states)
> Total fatal crashes in 2020: 852
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Alaska
> Time of day with most fatal crashes involving alcohol: 3 a.m. to 5:59 a.m.
> Fatal, alcohol-related crashes from 3 a.m. to 5:59 a.m. in 2020: 3 (27.3% of all fatal, alcohol-related crashes)
> Total fatal crashes involving alcohol in 2020: 11 (20.8% of all fatal crashes – 2nd lowest among states)
> Total fatal crashes in 2020: 53
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Arizona
> Time of day with most fatal crashes involving alcohol: 9 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
> Fatal, alcohol-related crashes from 9 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. in 2020: 60 (22.4% of all fatal, alcohol-related crashes)
> Total fatal crashes involving alcohol in 2020: 268 (27.7% of all fatal crashes – 22nd lowest among states)
> Total fatal crashes in 2020: 967
Arkansas
> Time of day with most fatal crashes involving alcohol: 9 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
> Fatal, alcohol-related crashes from 9 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. in 2020: 37 (24.0% of all fatal, alcohol-related crashes)
> Total fatal crashes involving alcohol in 2020: 154 (26.3% of all fatal crashes – 12th lowest among states)
> Total fatal crashes in 2020: 585
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California
> Time of day with most fatal crashes involving alcohol: 9 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
> Fatal, alcohol-related crashes from 9 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. in 2020: 239 (22.9% of all fatal, alcohol-related crashes)
> Total fatal crashes involving alcohol in 2020: 1,044 (29.3% of all fatal crashes – 24th highest among states)
> Total fatal crashes in 2020: 3,558
Colorado
> Time of day with most fatal crashes involving alcohol: 9 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
> Fatal, alcohol-related crashes from 9 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. in 2020: 38 (22.5% of all fatal, alcohol-related crashes)
> Total fatal crashes involving alcohol in 2020: 169 (29.4% of all fatal crashes – 23rd highest among states)
> Total fatal crashes in 2020: 574
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Connecticut
> Time of day with most fatal crashes involving alcohol: 6 p.m. to 8:59 p.m.
> Fatal, alcohol-related crashes from 6 p.m. to 8:59 p.m. in 2020: 26 (23.2% of all fatal, alcohol-related crashes)
> Total fatal crashes involving alcohol in 2020: 112 (40.1% of all fatal crashes – 3rd highest among states)
> Total fatal crashes in 2020: 279
Delaware
> Time of day with most fatal crashes involving alcohol: 6 p.m. to 8:59 p.m.
> Fatal, alcohol-related crashes from 6 p.m. to 8:59 p.m. in 2020: 8 (38.1% of all fatal, alcohol-related crashes)
> Total fatal crashes involving alcohol in 2020: 21 (20.2% of all fatal crashes – the lowest among states)
> Total fatal crashes in 2020: 104
Florida
> Time of day with most fatal crashes involving alcohol: 9 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
> Fatal, alcohol-related crashes from 9 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. in 2020: 195 (24.6% of all fatal, alcohol-related crashes)
> Total fatal crashes involving alcohol in 2020: 793 (25.6% of all fatal crashes – 10th lowest among states)
> Total fatal crashes in 2020: 3,098
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Georgia
> Time of day with most fatal crashes involving alcohol: 9 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
> Fatal, alcohol-related crashes from 9 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. in 2020: 90 (24.1% of all fatal, alcohol-related crashes)
> Total fatal crashes involving alcohol in 2020: 373 (24.5% of all fatal crashes – 6th lowest among states)
> Total fatal crashes in 2020: 1,522
Hawaii
> Time of day with most fatal crashes involving alcohol: 9 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
> Fatal, alcohol-related crashes from 9 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. in 2020: 8 (33.3% of all fatal, alcohol-related crashes)
> Total fatal crashes involving alcohol in 2020: 24 (29.6% of all fatal crashes – 22nd highest among states)
> Total fatal crashes in 2020: 81
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Idaho
> Time of day with most fatal crashes involving alcohol: 6 p.m. to 8:59 p.m.
> Fatal, alcohol-related crashes from 6 p.m. to 8:59 p.m. in 2020: 13 (25.5% of all fatal, alcohol-related crashes)
> Total fatal crashes involving alcohol in 2020: 51 (27.1% of all fatal crashes – 16th lowest among states)
> Total fatal crashes in 2020: 188
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Illinois
> Time of day with most fatal crashes involving alcohol: 9 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
> Fatal, alcohol-related crashes from 9 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. in 2020: 81 (24.0% of all fatal, alcohol-related crashes)
> Total fatal crashes involving alcohol in 2020: 337 (31.0% of all fatal crashes – 20th highest among states)
> Total fatal crashes in 2020: 1,087
Indiana
> Time of day with most fatal crashes involving alcohol: Midnight to 2:59 a.m.
> Fatal, alcohol-related crashes from Midnight to 2:59 a.m. in 2020: 45 (20.2% of all fatal, alcohol-related crashes)
> Total fatal crashes involving alcohol in 2020: 223 (27.4% of all fatal crashes – 18th lowest among states)
> Total fatal crashes in 2020: 815
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Iowa
> Time of day with most fatal crashes involving alcohol: 3 p.m. to 5:59 p.m.
> Fatal, alcohol-related crashes from 3 p.m. to 5:59 p.m. in 2020: 23 (23.7% of all fatal, alcohol-related crashes)
> Total fatal crashes involving alcohol in 2020: 97 (31.9% of all fatal crashes – 17th highest among states)
> Total fatal crashes in 2020: 304
Kansas
> Time of day with most fatal crashes involving alcohol: 9 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
> Fatal, alcohol-related crashes from 9 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. in 2020: 22 (26.5% of all fatal, alcohol-related crashes)
> Total fatal crashes involving alcohol in 2020: 83 (21.7% of all fatal crashes – 5th lowest among states)
> Total fatal crashes in 2020: 382
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Kentucky
> Time of day with most fatal crashes involving alcohol: 9 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
> Fatal, alcohol-related crashes from 9 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. in 2020: 48 (27.0% of all fatal, alcohol-related crashes)
> Total fatal crashes involving alcohol in 2020: 178 (25.1% of all fatal crashes – 8th lowest among states)
> Total fatal crashes in 2020: 709
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Louisiana
> Time of day with most fatal crashes involving alcohol: 9 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
> Fatal, alcohol-related crashes from 9 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. in 2020: 61 (29.2% of all fatal, alcohol-related crashes)
> Total fatal crashes involving alcohol in 2020: 209 (27.4% of all fatal crashes – 19th lowest among states)
> Total fatal crashes in 2020: 762
Maine
> Time of day with most fatal crashes involving alcohol: 9 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
> Fatal, alcohol-related crashes from 9 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. in 2020: 19 (31.7% of all fatal, alcohol-related crashes)
> Total fatal crashes involving alcohol in 2020: 60 (39.7% of all fatal crashes – 4th highest among states)
> Total fatal crashes in 2020: 151
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Maryland
> Time of day with most fatal crashes involving alcohol: 9 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
> Fatal, alcohol-related crashes from 9 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. in 2020: 48 (27.7% of all fatal, alcohol-related crashes)
> Total fatal crashes involving alcohol in 2020: 173 (32.0% of all fatal crashes – 16th highest among states)
> Total fatal crashes in 2020: 540
Massachusetts
> Time of day with most fatal crashes involving alcohol: 9 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
> Fatal, alcohol-related crashes from 9 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. in 2020: 23 (24.7% of all fatal, alcohol-related crashes)
> Total fatal crashes involving alcohol in 2020: 93 (28.4% of all fatal crashes – 24th lowest among states)
> Total fatal crashes in 2020: 327
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Michigan
> Time of day with most fatal crashes involving alcohol: 9 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
> Fatal, alcohol-related crashes from 9 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. in 2020: 69 (24.6% of all fatal, alcohol-related crashes)
> Total fatal crashes involving alcohol in 2020: 281 (27.8% of all fatal crashes – 23rd lowest among states)
> Total fatal crashes in 2020: 1,011
Minnesota
> Time of day with most fatal crashes involving alcohol: 6 p.m. to 8:59 p.m.
> Fatal, alcohol-related crashes from 6 p.m. to 8:59 p.m. in 2020: 21 (21.2% of all fatal, alcohol-related crashes)
> Total fatal crashes involving alcohol in 2020: 99 (26.8% of all fatal crashes – 15th lowest among states)
> Total fatal crashes in 2020: 369
Mississippi
> Time of day with most fatal crashes involving alcohol: 6 p.m. to 8:59 p.m.
> Fatal, alcohol-related crashes from 6 p.m. to 8:59 p.m. in 2020: 33 (22.4% of all fatal, alcohol-related crashes)
> Total fatal crashes involving alcohol in 2020: 147 (21.4% of all fatal crashes – 3rd lowest among states)
> Total fatal crashes in 2020: 687
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Missouri
> Time of day with most fatal crashes involving alcohol: Midnight to 2:59 a.m.
> Fatal, alcohol-related crashes from Midnight to 2:59 a.m. in 2020: 67 (23.0% of all fatal, alcohol-related crashes)
> Total fatal crashes involving alcohol in 2020: 291 (31.8% of all fatal crashes – 18th highest among states)
> Total fatal crashes in 2020: 914
Montana
> Time of day with most fatal crashes involving alcohol: 3 p.m. to 5:59 p.m.
> Fatal, alcohol-related crashes from 3 p.m. to 5:59 p.m. in 2020: 19 (22.4% of all fatal, alcohol-related crashes)
> Total fatal crashes involving alcohol in 2020: 85 (44.7% of all fatal crashes – the highest among states)
> Total fatal crashes in 2020: 190
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Nebraska
> Time of day with most fatal crashes involving alcohol: Unknown
> Fatal, alcohol-related crashes at an unknown time in 2020: 14 (20.3% of all fatal, alcohol-related crashes)
> Total fatal crashes involving alcohol in 2020: 69 (31.8% of all fatal crashes – 19th highest among states)
> Total fatal crashes in 2020: 217
Nevada
> Time of day with most fatal crashes involving alcohol: Midnight to 2:59 a.m.
> Fatal, alcohol-related crashes from Midnight to 2:59 a.m. in 2020: 20 (25.0% of all fatal, alcohol-related crashes)
> Total fatal crashes involving alcohol in 2020: 80 (27.3% of all fatal crashes – 17th lowest among states)
> Total fatal crashes in 2020: 293
New Hampshire
> Time of day with most fatal crashes involving alcohol: 6 p.m. to 8:59 p.m.
> Fatal, alcohol-related crashes from 6 p.m. to 8:59 p.m. in 2020: 9 (27.3% of all fatal, alcohol-related crashes)
> Total fatal crashes involving alcohol in 2020: 33 (33.7% of all fatal crashes – 12th highest among states)
> Total fatal crashes in 2020: 98
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New Jersey
> Time of day with most fatal crashes involving alcohol: 9 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
> Fatal, alcohol-related crashes from 9 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. in 2020: 38 (27.9% of all fatal, alcohol-related crashes)
> Total fatal crashes involving alcohol in 2020: 136 (24.9% of all fatal crashes – 7th lowest among states)
> Total fatal crashes in 2020: 547
New Mexico
> Time of day with most fatal crashes involving alcohol: 9 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
> Fatal, alcohol-related crashes from 9 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. in 2020: 27 (22.7% of all fatal, alcohol-related crashes)
> Total fatal crashes involving alcohol in 2020: 119 (32.6% of all fatal crashes – 14th highest among states)
> Total fatal crashes in 2020: 365
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New York
> Time of day with most fatal crashes involving alcohol: 9 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
> Fatal, alcohol-related crashes from 9 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. in 2020: 53 (20.9% of all fatal, alcohol-related crashes)
> Total fatal crashes involving alcohol in 2020: 253 (26.3% of all fatal crashes – 11th lowest among states)
> Total fatal crashes in 2020: 963
North Carolina
> Time of day with most fatal crashes involving alcohol: 6 p.m. to 8:59 p.m.
> Fatal, alcohol-related crashes from 6 p.m. to 8:59 p.m. in 2020: 91 (22.3% of all fatal, alcohol-related crashes)
> Total fatal crashes involving alcohol in 2020: 408 (28.9% of all fatal crashes – 25th highest among states)
> Total fatal crashes in 2020: 1,412
North Dakota
> Time of day with most fatal crashes involving alcohol: 9 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
> Fatal, alcohol-related crashes from 9 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. in 2020: 8 (24.2% of all fatal, alcohol-related crashes)
> Total fatal crashes involving alcohol in 2020: 33 (34.4% of all fatal crashes – 10th highest among states)
> Total fatal crashes in 2020: 96
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Ohio
> Time of day with most fatal crashes involving alcohol: 9 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
> Fatal, alcohol-related crashes from 9 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. in 2020: 111 (26.2% of all fatal, alcohol-related crashes)
> Total fatal crashes involving alcohol in 2020: 423 (36.7% of all fatal crashes – 7th highest among states)
> Total fatal crashes in 2020: 1,154
Oklahoma
> Time of day with most fatal crashes involving alcohol: Midnight to 2:59 a.m.
> Fatal, alcohol-related crashes from Midnight to 2:59 a.m. in 2020: 32 (20.1% of all fatal, alcohol-related crashes)
> Total fatal crashes involving alcohol in 2020: 159 (26.5% of all fatal crashes – 14th lowest among states)
> Total fatal crashes in 2020: 599
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Oregon
> Time of day with most fatal crashes involving alcohol: 6 p.m. to 8:59 p.m.
> Fatal, alcohol-related crashes from 6 p.m. to 8:59 p.m. in 2020: 42 (24.4% of all fatal, alcohol-related crashes)
> Total fatal crashes involving alcohol in 2020: 172 (37.3% of all fatal crashes – 6th highest among states)
> Total fatal crashes in 2020: 461
Pennsylvania
> Time of day with most fatal crashes involving alcohol: 9 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
> Fatal, alcohol-related crashes from 9 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. in 2020: 74 (25.3% of all fatal, alcohol-related crashes)
> Total fatal crashes involving alcohol in 2020: 293 (27.6% of all fatal crashes – 21st lowest among states)
> Total fatal crashes in 2020: 1,060
Rhode Island
> Time of day with most fatal crashes involving alcohol: Midnight to 2:59 a.m.
> Fatal, alcohol-related crashes from Midnight to 2:59 a.m. in 2020: 9 (32.1% of all fatal, alcohol-related crashes)
> Total fatal crashes involving alcohol in 2020: 28 (42.4% of all fatal crashes – 2nd highest among states)
> Total fatal crashes in 2020: 66
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South Carolina
> Time of day with most fatal crashes involving alcohol: 9 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
> Fatal, alcohol-related crashes from 9 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. in 2020: 75 (26.1% of all fatal, alcohol-related crashes)
> Total fatal crashes involving alcohol in 2020: 287 (29.8% of all fatal crashes – 21st highest among states)
> Total fatal crashes in 2020: 962
South Dakota
> Time of day with most fatal crashes involving alcohol: 6 a.m. to 8:59 a.m.
> Fatal, alcohol-related crashes from 6 a.m. to 8:59 a.m. in 2020: 10 (21.7% of all fatal, alcohol-related crashes)
> Total fatal crashes involving alcohol in 2020: 46 (34.8% of all fatal crashes – 9th highest among states)
> Total fatal crashes in 2020: 132
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Tennessee
> Time of day with most fatal crashes involving alcohol: 9 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
> Fatal, alcohol-related crashes from 9 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. in 2020: 77 (25.9% of all fatal, alcohol-related crashes)
> Total fatal crashes involving alcohol in 2020: 297 (26.5% of all fatal crashes – 13th lowest among states)
> Total fatal crashes in 2020: 1,119
Texas
> Time of day with most fatal crashes involving alcohol: 9 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
> Fatal, alcohol-related crashes from 9 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. in 2020: 314 (23.3% of all fatal, alcohol-related crashes)
> Total fatal crashes involving alcohol in 2020: 1,345 (38.2% of all fatal crashes – 5th highest among states)
> Total fatal crashes in 2020: 3,520
Utah
> Time of day with most fatal crashes involving alcohol: Midnight to 2:59 a.m.
> Fatal, alcohol-related crashes from Midnight to 2:59 a.m. in 2020: 10 (18.2% of all fatal, alcohol-related crashes)
> Total fatal crashes involving alcohol in 2020: 55 (21.5% of all fatal crashes – 4th lowest among states)
> Total fatal crashes in 2020: 256
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Vermont
> Time of day with most fatal crashes involving alcohol: 6 p.m. to 8:59 p.m.
> Fatal, alcohol-related crashes from 6 p.m. to 8:59 p.m. in 2020: 6 (37.5% of all fatal, alcohol-related crashes)
> Total fatal crashes involving alcohol in 2020: 16 (27.6% of all fatal crashes – 20th lowest among states)
> Total fatal crashes in 2020: 58
Virginia
> Time of day with most fatal crashes involving alcohol: 6 p.m. to 8:59 p.m.
> Fatal, alcohol-related crashes from 6 p.m. to 8:59 p.m. in 2020: 62 (23.6% of all fatal, alcohol-related crashes)
> Total fatal crashes involving alcohol in 2020: 263 (33.0% of all fatal crashes – 13th highest among states)
> Total fatal crashes in 2020: 796
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Washington
> Time of day with most fatal crashes involving alcohol: 6 p.m. to 8:59 p.m.
> Fatal, alcohol-related crashes from 6 p.m. to 8:59 p.m. in 2020: 51 (27.3% of all fatal, alcohol-related crashes)
> Total fatal crashes involving alcohol in 2020: 187 (35.6% of all fatal crashes – 8th highest among states)
> Total fatal crashes in 2020: 525
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West Virginia
> Time of day with most fatal crashes involving alcohol: 6 p.m. to 8:59 p.m.
> Fatal, alcohol-related crashes from 6 p.m. to 8:59 p.m. in 2020: 22 (31.0% of all fatal, alcohol-related crashes)
> Total fatal crashes involving alcohol in 2020: 71 (28.5% of all fatal crashes – 25th lowest among states)
> Total fatal crashes in 2020: 249
Wisconsin
> Time of day with most fatal crashes involving alcohol: Midnight to 2:59 a.m.
> Fatal, alcohol-related crashes from Midnight to 2:59 a.m. in 2020: 44 (22.9% of all fatal, alcohol-related crashes)
> Total fatal crashes involving alcohol in 2020: 192 (34.2% of all fatal crashes – 11th highest among states)
> Total fatal crashes in 2020: 561
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Wyoming
> Time of day with most fatal crashes involving alcohol: 3 p.m. to 5:59 p.m.
> Fatal, alcohol-related crashes from 3 p.m. to 5:59 p.m. in 2020: 10 (27.0% of all fatal, alcohol-related crashes)
> Total fatal crashes involving alcohol in 2020: 37 (32.5% of all fatal crashes – 15th highest among states)
> Total fatal crashes in 2020: 114
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