Drinking and Driving

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• In the United States, 13,384 people died in drunk-driving accidents over a 12-month period. That’s nearly 40 fatalities every day of the year.¹
• Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death among teenagers. Of the teen drivers killed in a single year, about one in three had been drinking, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.²
• Drivers under the influence of alcohol are at least seven times more likely to die in a vehicle accident than sober drivers.³

For most people, these are just statistics—shocking, perhaps, but just statistics. But for the families and friends of those who die as a result of drinking and driving, each number represents a tragic loss.

Alcohol distorts a person’s perceptions and judgment. People under its influence admit their reaction time slows and they often take risks they would not consider when sober. Too frequently, these risks result in fatalities.

Updated: 2025