FACT SHEET

Impaired Driving

August 2009

Washington Traffic Safety Commission announces a $400,000 campaign to combat impaired driving.  The Drive Hammered Get Nailed campaign will run from August 14 to September 7, 2009 and includes overtime grants to law enforcement agencies across the state to conduct high-visibility DUI enforcement patrols.

In 2008, traffic crashes killed 522 people on Washington’s roadways.  Impaired drivers accounted for 44.6 percent of the total (233 deaths).  The State Strategic Highway Safety Plan also known as Target Zero identifies impaired driving as the top priority.  The goal of Target Zero is to eliminate all traffic deaths and serious injuries in Washington by 2030.

National Data

Leading cause of death and injury: Motor vehicle crashes remain the leading cause of death for persons 1 to 34 years of age in the United States. [CDC] Injuries resulting from motor vehicle collisions accounted for 9.5 percent of all emergency room visits in 2006. [Pitts et al., 2006]

Illegal BAC: In 2007, nearly 13,000 people were killed in crashes involving a driver with an illegal BAC (Blood Alcohol Concentration) of .08 or higher. This corresponds to almost one-third of all traffic fatalities. [NHTSA]

High-risk periods:  Alcohol-impairment (.08+ BAC) among drivers involved in deadly crashes was 4 times higher at night than during the day (36 percent versus 9 percent)and 2 times higher on weekends than weekdays (31 percent versus 15 percent). [NHTSA]

Impaired drivers and age: The highest percentage of drivers involved in deadly crashes with BACs of .08 or above were age 21 to 24 (35 percent) followed by drivers age 25-34 (29 percent) and 35 to 44 (25 percent). [NHTSA]

Impaired drivers and safety restraint use: In 2007, only 34 percent of alcohol-impaired drivers involved in fatal crashes were wearing seat belts or helmets compared to 62 percent of all drivers involved in fatal crashes. [NHTSA]

Recidivism:  About 8 percent of all alcohol-impaired drivers involved in a deadly crash in 2007 had a prior DWI conviction within three years from the date of the crash. [NHTSA]

High cost: In the U.S., average alcohol related fatality costs $3.2 million: $1.2 million in direct monetary costs and $2.0 million in indirect costs. [NHTSA]
Washington Data

• Impairment is the leading cause of traffic deaths:  The number one driver factor contributing to traffic deaths in Washington is driver impairment. [WTSC]

• In 2008, traffic crashes killed 522 people on Washington’s roadways. Impaired drivers were involved in 48.1 percent (251) of the deaths. [WTSC/FARS]

• These 251 deaths in 2008 represent an 8.2 percent decrease in impaired driver-involved fatalities over the 2003-2007 yearly average of 273 persons killed.

• Age and gender factors:  In Washington, 37.0 percent of drivers age 16-25 are impaired at the time of the collision compared to 27.7 percent of drivers age 26 and older.  Seventy-seven percent of persons killed in impaired-driver-involved crashes are male.

Impaired Driver-Involved Fatalities, WA 1999-2008
By Age Group and Gender
(Age group percentage total shown in boxes)

• Younger drinking drivers have greater risk:  A 21-34 year-old driver with a BAC between .05 and .079 (under the per se limit of .08) is four times more likely to die in a crash than a sober driver in the same age group. A male driver age 16-20 with a BAC between .05 and .079 is fifteen times more likely to die in a crash than a sober driver in the same age group. [Zador et al., 2000]

• Rural roads more risky:  Most impaired-driver-involved deadly crashes occurred on rural roads (63.0 percent from 1999-2008).

• Summer months: July through September had the most impaired-driver-involved traffic deaths (31.0 percent) in Washington from 1999-2008.
  

• Drugged driving deaths: Over the last ten years, drug-involved traffic deaths have increased by 97 percent (from 75 deaths involving drug-impaired drivers in 1999 to 148 deaths in 2008). During this time, the proportion of deceased drivers tested for drugs increased by 54 percent (from 59 percent in 1999 to 91 percent in 2008). Consequently, much of the increase in drug-involved deaths is likely due to an increase in drug testing.

Washington Impairment-Involved Traffic Fatalities, 1999-2008
Fatalities involving a driver with BAC ≥ .08 vs. Fatalities involving a driver with positive drug test*

• Nighttime:  More than two-thirds of impaired-driver-involved fatal collisions occurred during nighttime hours (6 pm to 6 am) in Washington (67.8 percent from 1999-2008). In contrast, about one-third of fatalities not involving an impaired driver occurred during nighttime hours (36.3 percent from 1999-2008). 

Traffic Fatalities by Driver Impairment and Hour of Crash, WA 1999-2008

Impaired-Driver-Involved Fatalities by County, WA 1999-2008
Fatalities and fatality rate per 100 million vehicle miles traveled

Washington Impaired-Driver-Involved Fatality Rates, 1999-2003 vs. 2004-2008
Percent change in fatality rate per 100 million vehicle miles traveled

County Data

• Counties with the most deaths:  The five counties with the largest number of impaired driver-involved fatalities from 1999 to 2008 were:

1. King:  486 (18.0 percent)
2. Pierce:  296 (11.0 percent)
3. Snohomish:  222 (8.2 percent)
4. Yakima:  151 (5.6 percent)
5. Spokane:  123 (4.6 percent)

1. Death rates:  In terms of fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles traveled from 1999-2008, several counties were higher or lower than the statewide impaired-driver-involved fatality rate of 0.49.

Counties with the highest 10-year fatality rates were:

1. San Juan: 3.18 (6.5 times higher than the statewide rate)
2. Ferry: 1.87 (3.8 times higher)          
3. Mason: 1.49 (3.0 times higher)

Counties with the lowest 10-year fatality rates were:

1. Garfield: 0.15 (3.3 times lower than the statewide rate)          
2. Benton: 0.26 (1.9 times lower)
3. Asotin: 0.29 (1.7 times lower)

Comparing 5-year fatality rates per 100 million vehicle miles traveled from 1999-2003 and 2004-2008 shows that several counties experienced dramatic increases while others experienced decreases.

Top increases in impaired driving fatality rates:

1. Garfield: 307.0 percent more deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled
2. Island: 265.5 percent more deaths
3. Pacific: 164.0 percent more deaths

Top decreases in impaired driving fatality rates:

1. Benton: 55.5 percent fewer deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled
2. Asotin: 52.9 percent fewer deaths
3. Adams: 52.0 percent fewer deaths          

Serious Consequences

• Fewer than 39,500 DUI arrests were made in Washington State in 2008, roughly a 7% decline from the 2003-2007 annual average of 42,611.

• Felony DUI:  As of July 1, 2007, individuals arrested for DUI face felony charges when they accumulate four previous DUI arrests within a 10 year period.  Felony DUI conviction carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and/or a $10,000 fine. Previously, a DUI charge counted as a misdemeanor, regardless of how many prior DUIs appeared on a person’s driving record. [RCW 46.61.5055(13)]

• A DUI can cost $10,000 or more:  A DUI arrest is expensive.  There’s the cost of bail, towing your car, taking an alcohol/drug evaluation, and hiring an attorney.  Appearing in court takes time away from work.  If you are convicted, fines and fees can be significantly more than $5,000.  You may have to pay to cost of electronic home monitoring.  The court can order you into alcohol or drug treatment. A DUI can double, even triple your insurance rates.  You will serve jail time.  You will be ordered to install and pay for a device (called an ignition interlock) that won’t allow your vehicle to start if you have alcohol in your system.

Efforts to combat impaired driving need to be stepped up

• Progress at a standstill:  Between 1980 and 1992, Washington experienced a two-thirds decline in drinking driver-involved fatality rate.  Between 1993 and 1999, the rate dropped by one-third.  However, since then the rate has remained almost flat.  Thus, our dramatic progress of the 1980’s and 1990’s has reached a virtual standstill.  This trend is occurring both nationally and internationally.  A recent report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration concluded that “impaired driving rates have changed very little since 1992.” [Countermeasures]
  
• Zero traffic deaths goal:  Here in Washington, representatives of federal, state, regional, and local government agencies, community organizations, tribal nations, and private organizations came together in 2006 to forge Washington’s Strategic Highway Safety Plan, also known as Target Zero.  The Target Zero vision reflects Washington’s long term goal of eliminating all traffic deaths and serious injuries by 2030.  The plan was formally adopted and signed by Gov. Gregoire in February 2007.  It offers a comprehensive array of proven strategies to combat our state’s most pressing traffic safety problems, including impaired driving.  One of these strategies is to conduct high-visibility, multi-jurisdictional DUI emphasis patrols. [Target Zero]
  

• Illegal per se limits:  Washington law defines DUI per se as involving any driver with a BAC of at least .08 percent blood alcohol concentration (BAC) or driving under the influence of drugs. Drivers can be arrested if they are impaired with BAC less than .08. Drivers under age 21 can be arrested with even just a.02 percent BAC. [RCW 46.61.502-503]

Tragedy easily avoided

• Drive Sober:  Fortunately, much of the tragedy that results from impaired driving crashes can be prevented.  If you drink, plan ahead.  Use a designated driver or take public transit.  Call a taxi or a friend.  Spend the night.  Sober is the only way to drive!
  
• Get Help:  If you or a loved one has a problem with alcohol or drugs, help is available.  Call the Alcohol/Drug Help Line at 1-800-562-1240 or the Teen Alcohol/Drug Help Line at 1-877-345-8336.  These 24-hour help lines provide confidential, individual guidance, crisis intervention techniques, and referral services.

Washington Impaired Driver-Involved Fatalities and Rates, 2001-2008

References

1. CDC: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS). 2005 [accessed 2/19/2008].  Available from URL: www.cdc.gov/ncipc/wisqars

Countermeasures:  Countermeasures That Work: A Highway Safety Countermeasure Guide for State Highway Safety Offices. Washington DC: US Dept. of Transportation, DOT HS 809 980, 2006

FARS: Fatality Reporting Analysis System

NHTSA: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Traffic Safety Facts 2007, NHTSA 2008. Available at http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/811017.PDF

 2007 Traffic Safety Annual Assessment – Alcohol-Impaired Driving Fatalities, NHTSA 2008. Available at http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/811016.PDF

Pitts SR et al. National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey: 2006 emergency department summary. National health statistics reports; no 7. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2008. Available at http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhsr/nhsr007.pdf

RCW: Revised Code of Washington
Target Zero:  Washington State’s Strategic Highway Safety Plan: Target Zero. (2007)
WTSC: Washington Traffic Safety Commission
Zador, et al., 2000: Relative Risk of Fatal Crash Involvement by BAC, Age, and Gender, DOT HS 809 050