Fatalities and Fatality Rates in Alcohol-Impaired Crashes by State, 2005-2006

In 2006, as compared to 2005, while the overall fatality rate declined from 1.46 to 1.41 fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles of travel (VMT), the alcohol-impaired fatality rate remained flat at 0.45 fatalities per 100 million VMT. In 2006, the alcohol-impaired fatality rate declined from 2005 in a total of 26 States, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia, and remained flat or increased in the remaining 24 States. In all 50 States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, it is illegal per se to drive or operate a motorcycle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 grams per deciliter or above. The impaired driving programs at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration target drivers who drive at or above the illegal per se level. This research note presents, by State, fatality rates in crashes that involved at least one driver or motorcycle operator with a BAC=.08+ — defined as alcohol-impaired crashes.\n