Nevada is ranked as the 12th highest state in the country for fatal DUI crashes that occur during typical brunch hours between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Nevada Dubbed the Boozy Brunch State
Nevada is well-known as a state that caters to gamblers and outdoor adventure seekers, but lately, it’s gaining a reputation as the “boozy brunch state.” According to a recent report from QuoteWizard Insurance, Nevada ranks 12th in the nation for DUI crash fatalities during brunch hours. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports 35 fatal DUI crashes during brunch hours, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m, over the last five years.
Nevada is home to several cities like Las Vegas, Laughlin, Reno, and Tahoe, where thousands of tourists flock to all-night casinos, world-class buffets, and outdoor adventure parks for fun-filled activities every day. To attract business and entice patrons, many hotels and restaurants offer special brunch deals that include all-you-can-drink bloody Mary’s, mimosas, sangrias, and bourbon iced teas. These popular breakfast brunch deals that include unlimited cocktails have resulted in a high number of drunk drivers on Nevada’s city streets during mid-morning and early afternoon hours when traffic is at its peak.
According to the QuoteWizard report, the state with the highest number of DUI fatalities during brunch hours is Alaska, followed by Connecticut, New Mexico, Texas, and Rhode Island. Although Nevada ranks 12th on the list, there were over 3,900 fatal DUI crashes during brunch hours between 2013 and 2017 in Nevada, accounting for 13% of drunk driving deaths. In Las Vegas and Reno, car accident lawyers see a high number of drunk driving accidents that cause serious injuries and fatalities to drivers, as well as pedestrians and bicyclists.
Highly-populated tourists cities like Las Vegas, Reno, and Tahoe offer around-the-clock gambling and nightlife activities, so special brunch deals with large buffets and all-you-can-drink cocktails are especially enticing to visitors. It’s likely that out-of-state tourists who often use taxis and public transportation instead of getting behind the wheel are keeping Nevada’s DUI fatality rates down.
In 2018, fatal DUI crashes hit a 10-year time high in Nevada. There were 331 alcohol-related traffic deaths on Nevada roads and highways, a 6.4% increase over 2017 fatal DUI crash statistics. “Boozy brunching” and safe driving do not go hand-in-hand.
