Alcohol-Related Fatalities and Fatality Rates by State, 2004-2005

In 2005, while the overall fatality rate increased marginally to 1.45 from 1.44 fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles of travel (VMT) in 2004, the alcohol-related fatality rate declined to 0.56 from 0.57 fatalities per 100 million VMT. The fatality rate in crashes involving at least one driver or motorcycle operator who had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or above--the illegal per se level in all States--declined to 0.43 in 2005 from 0.44 fatalities per 100 million VMT in 2004. In 2005, the alcohol-related fatality rate per 100 million VMT declined from 2004 in a total of 25 States and Puerto Rico and remained flat or increased in 25 States and District of Columbia. The fatality rate in crashes involving at least one driver or motorcycle operator who had a BAC of .08 or above declined in 23 States and Puerto Rico, and remained flat or increased in 27 States and the District of Columbia.