Despite the widespread lockdowns and the decrease in vehicular travel at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, traffic fatalities still managed to increase, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. After three consecutive years of declining fatalities, there were 38,824 traffic-related deaths in 2020 – the highest figure since 2007.
The rise in traffic deaths corresponded with an increase in risky driving behaviors. Three major factors in the rising fatalities were drunk driving, speeding, and failure to wear seatbelts. Of 8,643 alcohol impaired drivers involved in fatal crashes in 2020, 1,638 were also unrestrained and speeding. In total, there were 11,654 alcohol-impaired driving fatalities nationwide, accounting for 30% of all 2020 traffic fatalities. (These are America’s drunkest cities.)
To determine the states where drunk driving causes the most accidents, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed data on alcohol-impaired driving fatalities reported in each state in 2020, using the NHTSA’s report Overview of Motor Vehicle Crashes in 2020 published in March of 2022. States were ranked by the percent of alcohol-impaired driving fatalities of all driving deaths.
Nationally, there was a 14% increase in alcohol-related fatalities from 2019 to 2020. Alcohol-related fatalities increased in 40 states. California and Texas had the most alcohol-related driving fatalities, with 1,159 lives lost in California and 1,495 in Texas. Drunk driving fatalities increased by 20% in California and accounted for 30% of all driving fatalities, while they increased by nearly 12% in Texas and accounted for 39% of all fatalities.
Montana, Rhode Island, and Connecticut lead in how much drunk-driving fatalities contributed to overall driving deaths, with 40% or more of all traffic deaths involving alcohol. Some of the largest increases in fatalities were among people aged 25-34, as well as on urban roadways. (These are the most dangerous cities for driving.)
Click here to see the states where drunk driving causes the most driving deaths.
Click here to read our detailed methodology
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50. Utah
> Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2020: 21% (or 58) of all driving deaths
> Chg. in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2019-2020: +52.6% (20)
> Total driving fatalities, 2020: 276 — 15th least
> Total fatalities change, 2019-2020: +11.3% (28 total)
> Population: 3,205,958 — 21st smallest
Source: CRobertson / iStock via Getty Images
49. Mississippi
> Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2020: 21% (or 162) of all driving deaths
> Chg. in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2019-2020: -2.4% (-4)
> Total driving fatalities, 2020: 752 — 20th most
> Total fatalities change, 2019-2020: +17.1% (110 total)
> Population: 2,976,149 — 17th smallest
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48. Alaska
> Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2020: 22% (or 14) of all driving deaths
> Chg. in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2019-2020: -33.3% (-7)
> Total driving fatalities, 2020: 64 — 2nd least
> Total fatalities change, 2019-2020: -4.5% (-03 total)
> Population: 731,545 — 3rd smallest
Source: Ultima_Gaina / iStock via Getty Images
47. Delaware
> Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2020: 23% (or 27) of all driving deaths
> Chg. in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2019-2020: -15.6% (-5)
> Total driving fatalities, 2020: 116 — 7th least
> Total fatalities change, 2019-2020: -12.1% (-16 total)
> Population: 973,764 — 6th smallest
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46. Kansas
> Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2020: 23% (or 96) of all driving deaths
> Chg. in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2019-2020: +10.3% (9)
> Total driving fatalities, 2020: 426 — 22nd least
> Total fatalities change, 2019-2020: +3.9% (16 total)
> Population: 2,913,314 — 16th smallest
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45. Georgia
> Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2020: 24% (or 402) of all driving deaths
> Chg. in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2019-2020: +13.2% (47)
> Total driving fatalities, 2020: 1,664 — 4th most
> Total fatalities change, 2019-2020: +11.5% (172 total)
> Population: 10,617,423 — 8th largest
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
44. Alabama
> Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2020: 25% (or 236) of all driving deaths
> Chg. in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2019-2020: -13.2% (-36)
> Total driving fatalities, 2020: 934 — 15th most
> Total fatalities change, 2019-2020: +0.4% (04 total)
> Population: 4,903,185 — 24th largest
Source: ferrantraite / E+ via Getty Images
43. Nevada
> Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2020: 26% (or 83) of all driving deaths
> Chg. in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2019-2020: -6.7% (-6)
> Total driving fatalities, 2020: 317 — 17th least
> Total fatalities change, 2019-2020: +4.3% (13 total)
> Population: 3,080,156 — 19th smallest
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42. New Jersey
> Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2020: 26% (or 151) of all driving deaths
> Chg. in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2019-2020: +17.1% (22)
> Total driving fatalities, 2020: 584 — 25th most
> Total fatalities change, 2019-2020: +4.7% (26 total)
> Population: 8,882,190 — 11th largest
Source: HittProductions / iStock via Getty Images
41. Arkansas
> Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2020: 26% (or 166) of all driving deaths
> Chg. in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2019-2020: +26.7% (35)
> Total driving fatalities, 2020: 638 — 22nd most
> Total fatalities change, 2019-2020: +24.9% (127 total)
> Population: 3,017,804 — 18th smallest
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40. Kentucky
> Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2020: 26% (or 199) of all driving deaths
> Chg. in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2019-2020: +31.8% (48)
> Total driving fatalities, 2020: 780 — 19th most
> Total fatalities change, 2019-2020: +6.6% (48 total)
> Population: 4,467,673 — 25th smallest
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39. Florida
> Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2020: 26% (or 871) of all driving deaths
> Chg. in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2019-2020: +12.4% (96)
> Total driving fatalities, 2020: 3,331 — 3rd most
> Total fatalities change, 2019-2020: +4.6% (146 total)
> Population: 21,477,737 — 3rd largest
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38. Minnesota
> Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2020: 27% (or 107) of all driving deaths
> Chg. in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2019-2020: +25.9% (22)
> Total driving fatalities, 2020: 394 — 20th least
> Total fatalities change, 2019-2020: +8.2% (30 total)
> Population: 5,639,632 — 22nd largest
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37. Oklahoma
> Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2020: 27% (or 179) of all driving deaths
> Chg. in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2019-2020: +14.7% (23)
> Total driving fatalities, 2020: 652 — 21st most
> Total fatalities change, 2019-2020: +1.9% (12 total)
> Population: 3,956,971 — 23rd smallest
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36. New York
> Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2020: 27% (or 286) of all driving deaths
> Chg. in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2019-2020: +11.7% (30)
> Total driving fatalities, 2020: 1,046 — 13th most
> Total fatalities change, 2019-2020: +12% (112 total)
> Population: 19,453,561 — 4th largest
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35. Tennessee
> Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2020: 27% (or 326) of all driving deaths
> Chg. in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2019-2020: +12.8% (37)
> Total driving fatalities, 2020: 1,217 — 7th most
> Total fatalities change, 2019-2020: +7.1% (81 total)
> Population: 6,829,174 — 16th largest
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34. Vermont
> Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2020: 28% (or 18) of all driving deaths
> Chg. in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2019-2020: +100% (9)
> Total driving fatalities, 2020: 62 — the least
> Total fatalities change, 2019-2020: +31.9% (15 total)
> Population: 623,989 — 2nd smallest
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33. Louisiana
> Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2020: 28% (or 233) of all driving deaths
> Chg. in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2019-2020: +8.9% (19)
> Total driving fatalities, 2020: 828 — 18th most
> Total fatalities change, 2019-2020: +13.9% (101 total)
> Population: 4,648,794 — 25th largest
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32. Indiana
> Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2020: 28% (or 249) of all driving deaths
> Chg. in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2019-2020: +24.5% (49)
> Total driving fatalities, 2020: 897 — 16th most
> Total fatalities change, 2019-2020: +10.7% (87 total)
> Population: 6,732,219 — 17th largest
Source: Art Wager / E+ via Getty Images
31. Arizona
> Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2020: 28% (or 293) of all driving deaths
> Chg. in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2019-2020: +13.1% (34)
> Total driving fatalities, 2020: 1,054 — 12th most
> Total fatalities change, 2019-2020: +7.7% (75 total)
> Population: 7,278,717 — 14th largest
Source: ChrisBoswell / iStock via Getty Images
30. Michigan
> Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2020: 28% (or 306) of all driving deaths
> Chg. in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2019-2020: +15.9% (42)
> Total driving fatalities, 2020: 1,084 — 10th most
> Total fatalities change, 2019-2020: +9.9% (98 total)
> Population: 9,986,857 — 10th largest
Source: Shunyu Fan / iStock via Getty Images
29. Idaho
> Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2020: 29% (or 61) of all driving deaths
> Chg. in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2019-2020: -11.6% (-8)
> Total driving fatalities, 2020: 214 — 12th least
> Total fatalities change, 2019-2020: -4.5% (-10 total)
> Population: 1,787,065 — 12th smallest
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
28. West Virginia
> Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2020: 29% (or 76) of all driving deaths
> Chg. in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2019-2020: +35.7% (20)
> Total driving fatalities, 2020: 267 — 14th least
> Total fatalities change, 2019-2020: +2.7% (07 total)
> Population: 1,792,147 — 13th smallest
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27. Massachusetts
> Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2020: 29% (or 98) of all driving deaths
> Chg. in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2019-2020: -12.5% (-14)
> Total driving fatalities, 2020: 343 — 19th least
> Total fatalities change, 2019-2020: +2.1% (07 total)
> Population: 6,892,503 — 15th largest
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26. Pennsylvania
> Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2020: 29% (or 322) of all driving deaths
> Chg. in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2019-2020: +7.7% (23)
> Total driving fatalities, 2020: 1,129 — 9th most
> Total fatalities change, 2019-2020: +6.6% (70 total)
> Population: 12,801,989 — 5th largest
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25. Colorado
> Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2020: 30% (or 186) of all driving deaths
> Chg. in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2019-2020: +16.3% (26)
> Total driving fatalities, 2020: 622 — 23rd most
> Total fatalities change, 2019-2020: +4.2% (25 total)
> Population: 5,758,736 — 21st largest
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24. South Carolina
> Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2020: 30% (or 315) of all driving deaths
> Chg. in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2019-2020: +14.1% (39)
> Total driving fatalities, 2020: 1,064 — 11th most
> Total fatalities change, 2019-2020: +5.8% (58 total)
> Population: 5,148,714 — 23rd largest
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23. North Carolina
> Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2020: 30% (or 454) of all driving deaths
> Chg. in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2019-2020: +17.6% (68)
> Total driving fatalities, 2020: 1,538 — 5th most
> Total fatalities change, 2019-2020: +5.6% (81 total)
> Population: 10,488,084 — 9th largest
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22. California
> Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2020: 30% (or 1,159) of all driving deaths
> Chg. in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2019-2020: +20% (193)
> Total driving fatalities, 2020: 3,847 — 2nd most
> Total fatalities change, 2019-2020: +3.4% (128 total)
> Population: 39,512,223 — the largest
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21. Hawaii
> Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2020: 31% (or 27) of all driving deaths
> Chg. in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2019-2020: -25% (-9)
> Total driving fatalities, 2020: 85 — 4th least
> Total fatalities change, 2019-2020: -21.3% (-23 total)
> Population: 1,415,872 — 11th smallest
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20. Nebraska
> Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2020: 31% (or 73) of all driving deaths
> Chg. in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2019-2020: +21.7% (13)
> Total driving fatalities, 2020: 233 — 13th least
> Total fatalities change, 2019-2020: -6% (-15 total)
> Population: 1,934,408 — 14th smallest
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19. Maryland
> Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2020: 32% (or 183) of all driving deaths
> Chg. in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2019-2020: +9.6% (16)
> Total driving fatalities, 2020: 567 — 25th least
> Total fatalities change, 2019-2020: +6% (32 total)
> Population: 6,045,680 — 19th largest
Source: ChrisBoswell / iStock via Getty Images
18. Missouri
> Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2020: 32% (or 312) of all driving deaths
> Chg. in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2019-2020: +32.2% (76)
> Total driving fatalities, 2020: 987 — 14th most
> Total fatalities change, 2019-2020: +12% (106 total)
> Population: 6,137,428 — 18th largest
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
17. Illinois
> Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2020: 32% (or 379) of all driving deaths
> Chg. in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2019-2020: +21.9% (68)
> Total driving fatalities, 2020: 1,194 — 8th most
> Total fatalities change, 2019-2020: +18.3% (185 total)
> Population: 12,671,821 — 6th largest
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16. New Mexico
> Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2020: 33% (or 130) of all driving deaths
> Chg. in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2019-2020: +4% (5)
> Total driving fatalities, 2020: 398 — 21st least
> Total fatalities change, 2019-2020: -6.4% (-27 total)
> Population: 2,096,829 — 15th smallest
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15. Wyoming
> Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2020: 34% (or 44) of all driving deaths
> Chg. in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2019-2020: +33.3% (11)
> Total driving fatalities, 2020: 127 — 8th least
> Total fatalities change, 2019-2020: -13.6% (-20 total)
> Population: 578,759 — the smallest
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14. Iowa
> Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2020: 34% (or 113) of all driving deaths
> Chg. in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2019-2020: +10.8% (11)
> Total driving fatalities, 2020: 337 — 18th least
> Total fatalities change, 2019-2020: +0.3% (01 total)
> Population: 3,155,070 — 20th smallest
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13. Wisconsin
> Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2020: 34% (or 210) of all driving deaths
> Chg. in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2019-2020: +12.9% (24)
> Total driving fatalities, 2020: 614 — 24th most
> Total fatalities change, 2019-2020: +8.3% (47 total)
> Population: 5,822,434 — 20th largest
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
12. Virginia
> Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2020: 34% (or 286) of all driving deaths
> Chg. in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2019-2020: +20.7% (49)
> Total driving fatalities, 2020: 850 — 17th most
> Total fatalities change, 2019-2020: +2.3% (19 total)
> Population: 8,535,519 — 12th largest
11. North Dakota
> Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2020: 35% (or 35) of all driving deaths
> Chg. in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2019-2020: -16.7% (-7)
> Total driving fatalities, 2020: 100 — 5th least
> Total fatalities change, 2019-2020: +0% (00 total)
> Population: 762,062 — 4th smallest
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10. South Dakota
> Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2020: 35% (or 49) of all driving deaths
> Chg. in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2019-2020: +75% (21)
> Total driving fatalities, 2020: 141 — 9th least
> Total fatalities change, 2019-2020: +38.2% (39 total)
> Population: 884,659 — 5th smallest
Source: peeterv / iStock via Getty Images
9. Washington
> Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2020: 35% (or 199) of all driving deaths
> Chg. in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2019-2020: +9.9% (18)
> Total driving fatalities, 2020: 560 — 24th least
> Total fatalities change, 2019-2020: +4.1% (22 total)
> Population: 7,614,893 — 13th largest
Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
8. New Hampshire
> Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2020: 36% (or 37) of all driving deaths
> Chg. in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2019-2020: -2.6% (-1)
> Total driving fatalities, 2020: 104 — 6th least
> Total fatalities change, 2019-2020: +3% (03 total)
> Population: 1,359,711 — 10th smallest
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
7. Ohio
> Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2020: 36% (or 448) of all driving deaths
> Chg. in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2019-2020: +23.8% (86)
> Total driving fatalities, 2020: 1,230 — 6th most
> Total fatalities change, 2019-2020: +6.7% (77 total)
> Population: 11,689,100 — 7th largest
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6. Oregon
> Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2020: 38% (or 191) of all driving deaths
> Chg. in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2019-2020: +11.7% (20)
> Total driving fatalities, 2020: 508 — 23rd least
> Total fatalities change, 2019-2020: +3% (15 total)
> Population: 4,217,737 — 24th smallest
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5. Maine
> Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2020: 39% (or 64) of all driving deaths
> Chg. in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2019-2020: +30.6% (15)
> Total driving fatalities, 2020: 164 — 10th least
> Total fatalities change, 2019-2020: +4.5% (07 total)
> Population: 1,344,212 — 9th smallest
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4. Texas
> Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2020: 39% (or 1,495) of all driving deaths
> Chg. in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2019-2020: +11.7% (157)
> Total driving fatalities, 2020: 3,874 — the most
> Total fatalities change, 2019-2020: +7% (255 total)
> Population: 28,995,881 — 2nd largest
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3. Connecticut
> Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2020: 40% (or 118) of all driving deaths
> Chg. in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2019-2020: +20.4% (20)
> Total driving fatalities, 2020: 295 — 16th least
> Total fatalities change, 2019-2020: +18.5% (46 total)
> Population: 3,565,287 — 22nd smallest
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2. Rhode Island
> Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2020: 42% (or 28) of all driving deaths
> Chg. in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2019-2020: +16.7% (4)
> Total driving fatalities, 2020: 67 — 3rd least
> Total fatalities change, 2019-2020: +17.5% (10 total)
> Population: 1,059,361 — 7th smallest
Source: krblokhin / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
1. Montana
> Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2020: 45% (or 96) of all driving deaths
> Chg. in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, 2019-2020: +45.5% (30)
> Total driving fatalities, 2020: 213 — 11th least
> Total fatalities change, 2019-2020: +15.8% (29 total)
> Population: 1,068,778 — 8th smallest
Methodology
To identify the states where drunk driving causes the most accidents, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed alcohol-impaired driving fatalities reported in each state in 2020 from the Overview of Motor Vehicle Crashes in 2020, which was published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in March of 2022. The number of fatalities for 2019 and 2020 are also from the report. Total population figures are from the 2019 American Community Survey 1-year estimates. Ties were broken using the total number of alcohol-impaired driving fatalities.
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