When it comes to DUI arrests, Alaska stands out as the state with the highest rate in the nation. According to data analyzed by High Rise Legal Funding, Alaska had a staggering 726.13 DUI arrests per 100,000 people in 2022, totaling 3,227 arrests.
The top 10 states with the most DUI arrests per capita in 2022 are:
Rank | State | Total DUIs | DUIs per 100,000 population |
1 | Alaska | 3,227 | 726.13 |
2 | South Dakota | 5,965 | 718.53 |
3 | Pennsylvania | 30,134 | 576.28 |
4 | North Dakota | 4,451 | 571.18 |
5 | Wyoming | 2,215 | 487.96 |
6 | California | 98,084 | 479.61 |
7 | New York | 21,583 | 470.44 |
8 | Mississippi | 7,125 | 397.65 |
9 | Idaho | 7,594 | 391.74 |
10 | Arizona | 17,443 | 381.55 |
Driving under the influence is a serious offense, with the legal limit set at a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% for drivers over 21 years old. For those under 21, any alcohol in the system is prohibited.
Each day, approximately 37 people in the U.S. lose their lives in drunk-driving accidents. In 2022, alcohol-impaired driving incidents caused 13,524 fatalities, representing about a third of all traffic crash deaths in the country.
South Dakota ranked second after Alaska in terms of DUI arrests per capita, highlighting the prevalence of this offense in the state.
Pennsylvania, with 30,134 DUI arrests, stressed the importance of responsible driving behavior, particularly due to challenging terrain and strict traffic laws.
Despite North Dakota’s high DUI arrest rates, the state saw a 15% decrease in fatal crashes from 2017 to 2022, according to Vision Zero.
California, known for heavy traffic, registered the most DUI arrests at 98,084, indicating the challenges faced by its motorists.
New York followed closely behind California with its own significant rate of DUI arrests.
It’s interesting to note that Texas and Florida, the second and third most populous states, did not make it into the top 10 list for DUI arrests.