Drunk driving is one of America’'s deadliest crimes: NHTSA

In August 2006, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released statistics on the number of drunk driving related accidents and fatalities for 2006. In total, there were 16,885 deaths in traffic accidents involving alcohol. “Drunk driving is one of America’s deadliest crimes,” said Maria Cino, Acting Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation.

In fact, according to the statistics, 39% of all traffic fatalities are related to drunk driving. California had the highest number of drunk driving fatalities at 1,719, up from 2004. Texas was a close second at 1,569 but was down from 1,704 fatalities in 2004. Alaska and Vermont had the lowest number of fatalities at 31 and 32 drunk driving related deaths respectively.

“Alcohol and automobiles are a lethal combination,” said NHTSA Administrator Nicole Nason. “That is why we are working closely with our law enforcement and national advocacy partners to get even tougher on drunk drivers.”

As it released the statistics, the NHTSA also unveiled a plan to reduce the number of drunk drivers on the road. At $11 million, the “Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest” campaign was the largest advertising blitz ever used to combat drunk driving, targeting the public over the Labor Day weekend. The campaign coincided with a nationwide crackdown by law enforcement that weekend.

The TV, radio, and web ads primarily targeted men 21-34 years old, which as a group represents the highest percentage of drunk drivers (33% of all drunk driving fatalities). Men 35-44 are the second-highest group at 25%.

However, increasing efforts to reduce the number of drunk drivers on the road do not seem to be effective. Just 23 states and Puerto Rico had fewer drunk driving fatalities, which means that more than half the states saw an increase. Related campaigns like the national seatbelt “Click It or Ticket” campaign are seemingly not have much of an impact either. Of those states with over 100 alcohol-related fatalities, Washington state had the highest increase of 19% over 2004’s totals. North Dakota had the highest overall jump at 49%, recording 58 drunk driving deaths in 2005 as opposed to 39 in 2004.

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