The Hidden Link Between Alcohol Use Disorder and Fatal Car Crashes

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) and impaired driving are two major issues that affect millions of people in the U.S. every year. At DeMayo Law Offices, we analyzed publicly available national data and uncovered a strong connection between AUD and the growing risk of alcohol-impaired driving.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were 40,990 motor vehicle fatalities in 2023. While that’s slightly lower than the 42,514 deaths in 2022, it’s still far too high. One of the most common causes behind these fatal crashes is drunk driving. In 2022 alone, 13,524 people died in alcohol-impaired crashes, which made up 32% of all traffic fatalities. That’s one alcohol-related death about every 39 minutes.

Digging deeper into data from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) and the Federal Register, the numbers reveal just how widespread alcohol use is in the U.S.:

• 224 million Americans aged 12 and up have tried alcohol

• 172.9 million adults drank alcohol in the past year

• That means 66% of all adults in the U.S. drank alcohol in the last year

Alcohol Use Disorder is a medical condition that makes it hard for people to stop or control their drinking, even when it causes serious problems in their lives. As of 2023, 28.9 million Americans ages 12 and older live with AUD, or roughly 1 in 10 people, according to the NIAAA and the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics.

Certain states have higher rates of AUD than others, with regional patterns suggesting heavier drinking in specific parts of the country. Risk factors for developing AUD include genetics, family history, starting to drink before age 15, mental health struggles, and trauma.

Here’s why that matters: people with AUD are much more likely to drive impaired. Nearly 29% of those with AUD reported driving under the influence in the past year, and that number rises to almost 47% when they also struggle with another substance use disorder. For first-time DWI offenders, up to half meet the criteria for AUD. Among repeat offenders, that number jumps to as high as 84%.

Men are especially at risk. NHTSA data shows 23% of male drivers involved in fatal crashes were impaired, compared to 17% of female drivers. This points to a troubling gender gap when it comes to both AUD and impaired driving.

Drunk-driving arrests are also far more common in certain states. If you live in one of those high-arrest areas, it’s worth taking extra precautions when you’re on the road. Understanding where these incidents happen most frequently can help you stay safer.

Alcohol affects your ability to drive long before you reach the legal blood alcohol limit. According to Alcohol Help, even at 0.02% BAC, you may experience reduced judgment and poor multitasking. At 0.05%, reaction time and coordination start to slip. And at 0.08%, your ability to focus, steer, and make decisions is significantly impaired.

Gender can also affect how quickly alcohol hits. A man and woman of the same weight can have very different BAC levels after drinking the same amount in the same amount of time. For example, a 160-pound man who drinks three beers in 30 minutes might be just under the legal limit, while a woman of the same size could be over it.

To reduce the risk of alcohol-related crashes, the CDC recommends practical steps like using a rideshare service, staying overnight, or simply choosing not to drink. And no matter what, always wear your seatbelt.

We can lower alcohol-related crash rates by raising awareness, encouraging responsible choices, and recognizing the signs of AUD. But even with precautions, accidents can still happen. We can lower alcohol-related crash rates by raising awareness, encouraging responsible choices, and recognizing the signs of AUD before they escalate into dangerous behaviors. While choosing not to drive after drinking is the most obvious precaution, communities also benefit from increased access to treatment resources, better education on substance use, and stronger enforcement of impaired driving laws. However, even the most cautious individuals can still be affected by someone else’s poor decision behind the wheel.