30 Million Drove “Under the Influence” Last Year

Impaired driving is a major safety concern, especially before, during, and after the holidays. Recent data released from SAMHSA indicate that 30 million people drove “under the influence” last year.

To help increase awareness and possibly lower the number of alcohol- and drug-related crashes, SAMHSA and the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy have made prevention of impaired driving a national priority.

The report, State Estimates of Drunk and Drugged Driving, is from SAMHSA’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). Combining 2006 to 2009 data, the NSDUH report indicates that 13.2 percent of people age 16 or older (approximately 30.6 million people) drove under the influence of alcohol in the past year. About 10.1 million people, or 4.3 percent, drove under the influence of illicit drugs.

Statistics by State

State by state from 2006 to 2009, the rates of drunk driving were among the highest in Wisconsin (23.7 percent) and North Dakota (22.4 percent). The rates of drugged driving were among the highest in Rhode Island (7.8 percent) and Vermont (6.6 percent). Twelve states saw reductions in drunk driving rates, while seven saw reductions in drugged driving rates.

Read State Estimates of Drunk and Drugged Driving, available from SAMHSA’s Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality.