New Study Finds States with Worst Drunk Driving Data for 2024
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New Study Finds States with Worst Drunk Driving Data for 2024: South Carolina, Texas, New Mexico, Wyoming, Montana Top the List
The study conducted by Simmrinlawgroup.com found that South Carolina tops the list, with drunk drivers responsible for 43% of all traffic fatalities, significantly exceeding the national average of 32%.
Conversely, Utah ranks 50th with 22% of traffic fatalities involving alcohol, which is notably lower than the national average of 32%.
This report by Simmrinlawgroup.com ranks the worst states for drunk driving in the U.S. in 2024 using 2022 data. It considers three metrics: drunk drivers involved in fatal accidents per 100,000 licensed drivers (40% of the score), fatalities per 100,000 residents (35%), and the percentage of traffic deaths caused by drivers with a BAC of 0.08 or higher (25%). Data sources include the NHTSA, U.S. Census Bureau, and Statista. Each state received a weighted score out of 100 and was ranked accordingly.
Key Finding
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Over 13,500 lives were lost to drunk driving in 2022, and 32% of all traffic fatalities nationwide involved alcohol.
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The top 3 worst states: South Carolina (43%), Texas (42%), and New Mexico (33%) – all have drunk driving fatality rates significantly exceeding the national average
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Southern states are overrepresented in the worst 10. Beyond South Carolina, the list includes Texas, New Mexico, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama, indicating a serious problem in this region.
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Northeastern states, including Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, consistently rank among the states with the lowest drunk driving rates. This positive trend may reflect factors like greater access to public transportation and stricter DUI laws.
Top 10 Worst States For Drunk Driving
| State | Total Score |
| South Carolina | 100.00 |
| Texas | 83.65 |
| New Mexico | 80.77 |
| Wyoming | 74.39 |
| Montana | 71.72 |
| Arizona | 70.31 |
| Oregon | 70.25 |
| Louisiana | 65.11 |
| Mississippi | 63.55 |
| Alabama | 60.96 |
1. South Carolina:
South Carolina ranks as the worst state for drunk driving in 2024 with a score of 100 out of 100. Nearly half of the state’s fatal crashes involve alcohol, with 43% of all traffic deaths due to drunk drivers. The state has 8.82 drunk driving deaths per 100,000 residents and 11.55 drunk drivers involved in fatal crashes per 100,000 licensed drivers, both significantly higher than the national averages.
2. Texas:
Texas holds the second-worst position for drunk driving with a score of 83.65 out of 100. Over 42% of its traffic fatalities involve drunk drivers. The state sees 6.13 drunk driving deaths per 100,000 residents and 10.08 drunk drivers involved in fatal crashes per 100,000 licensed drivers, nearly double the national averages.
3. New Mexico:
New Mexico is the third-worst state for drunk driving with a score of 80.77 out of 100. About 33% of all traffic deaths in the state are due to drunk drivers. New Mexico has 7.19 drunk driving deaths per 100,000 residents and 9.55 drunk drivers involved in fatal crashes per 100,000 licensed drivers, both significantly above national averages.
4. Wyoming:
Wyoming ranks fourth with a score of 74.39 out of 100. The state has a 30% fatality rate involving drunk drivers, slightly below the national average. Wyoming sees 6.85 drunk driving deaths per 100,000 residents and 8.60 drunk drivers involved in fatal crashes per 100,000 licensed drivers, both higher than national averages.
5. Montana:
Montana is the fifth-worst state for drunk driving with a score of 71.72 out of 100. About 34% of all traffic deaths in Montana involve alcohol. The state sees 6.27 drunk driving deaths per 100,000 residents and 7.82 drunk drivers involved in fatal accidents per 100,000 licensed drivers, both above national averages.
6. Arizona:
Arizona ranks sixth with a score of 70.31 out of 100. In Arizona, 35% of all traffic deaths involve alcohol. The state has 6.06 drunk driving deaths per 100,000 residents and 7.49 drunk drivers involved in fatal accidents per 100,000 licensed drivers, both higher than national averages.
7. Oregon:
Oregon ranks seventh with a score of 70.25 out of 100. A concerning 39% of the state’s traffic fatalities involve alcohol. Oregon sees 5.48 drunk driving deaths per 100,000 residents and 7.46 drunk drivers involved in fatal crashes per 100,000 licensed drivers, both above national averages.
8. Louisiana:
Louisiana ranks eighth with a score of 65.11 out of 100. About 29% of all traffic fatalities in the state involve drunk drivers. Louisiana has 5.84 drunk driving deaths per 100,000 residents and 7.24 drunk drivers involved in fatal crashes per 100,000 licensed drivers, both higher than national averages.
9. Mississippi:
Mississippi ranks ninth with a score of 63.55 out of 100. About 24% of the state’s traffic fatalities involve alcohol. Mississippi sees 5.71 drunk driving deaths per 100,000 residents and 7.77 drunk drivers involved in fatal accidents per 100,000 licensed drivers, both higher than national averages.
10. Alabama:
Alabama rounds out the top ten with a score of 60.96 out of 100. In Alabama, 28% of all traffic fatalities involve alcohol. The state has 5.50 drunk driving deaths per 100,000 residents and 6.60 drunk drivers involved in fatal crashes per 100,000 licensed drivers, both higher than national averages.
10 States with the Least Drunk Driving Problems
| State | Total Score |
| Utah | 31.39 |
| New Jersey | 31.79 |
| Massachusetts | 31.80 |
| Minnesota | 36.22 |
| New York | 36.68 |
| Alaska | 36.78 |
| Pennsylvania | 39.31 |
| Michigan | 40.64 |
| Wisconsin | 41.03 |
| Hawaii | 41.47 |
1. Utah:
Utah ranks as the state with the least drunk driving problems, scoring 31.39 out of 100. In Utah, 22% of traffic fatalities involve alcohol, which is notably lower than the national average of 32%. The state sees 2.08 drunk driving deaths per 100,000 residents and 2.99 drunk drivers involved in fatal crashes per 100,000 licensed drivers.
2. New Jersey:
New Jersey holds the second-best position for drunk driving issues, scoring 31.79 out of 100. About 26% of traffic fatalities in New Jersey involve alcohol. The state has 1.91 drunk driving deaths per 100,000 residents and 2.63 drunk drivers involved in fatal crashes per 100,000 licensed drivers.
3. Massachusetts:
Massachusetts ranks third, with a score of 31.80 out of 100. In Massachusetts, 28% of traffic fatalities involve alcohol. The state sees 1.76 drunk driving deaths per 100,000 residents and 2.47 drunk drivers involved in fatal crashes per 100,000 licensed drivers.
4. Minnesota:
Minnesota ranks fourth with a score of 36.22 out of 100. In Minnesota, 29% of traffic fatalities involve alcohol. The state has 2.27 drunk driving deaths per 100,000 residents and 2.99 drunk drivers involved in fatal crashes per 100,000 licensed drivers.
5. New York:
New York ranks fifth with a score of 36.68 out of 100. In New York, 32% of traffic fatalities involve alcohol. The state sees 1.90 drunk driving deaths per 100,000 residents and 3.05 drunk drivers involved in fatal crashes per 100,000 licensed drivers.
6. Alaska:
Alaska ranks sixth with a score of 36.78 out of 100. In Alaska, 24% of traffic fatalities involve alcohol. The state sees 2.73 drunk driving deaths per 100,000 residents and 3.47 drunk drivers involved in fatal crashes per 100,000 licensed drivers.
7. Pennsylvania:
Pennsylvania ranks seventh with a score of 39.31 out of 100. In Pennsylvania, 29% of traffic fatalities involve alcohol. The state has 2.61 drunk driving deaths per 100,000 residents and 3.50 drunk drivers involved in fatal crashes per 100,000 licensed drivers.
8. Michigan:
Michigan ranks eighth with a score of 40.64 out of 100. In Michigan, 27% of traffic fatalities involve alcohol. The state sees 3.04 drunk driving deaths per 100,000 residents and 3.72 drunk drivers involved in fatal crashes per 100,000 licensed drivers.
9. Wisconsin:
Wisconsin ranks ninth with a score of 41.03 out of 100. In Wisconsin, 29% of traffic fatalities involve alcohol. The state has 2.89 drunk driving deaths per 100,000 residents and 3.66 drunk drivers involved in fatal crashes per 100,000 licensed drivers.
10. Hawaii:
Hawaii rounds out the top ten states with the least drunk driving problems, scoring 41.47 out of 100. In Hawaii, 31% of traffic fatalities involve alcohol. The state sees 2.58 drunk driving deaths per 100,000 residents and 3.81 drunk drivers involved in fatal crashes per 100,000 licensed drivers.
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Author: David Keech
David Keech is a retired teacher and works as a sportswriter, sports official and as an educational consultant. He has reported on amateur sports since 2011, known as 'KeechDaVoice.' David can be reached at [email protected]
