What Percentage of Car Accidents Are Caused by Drunk Drivers?

Published on February 5, 2025, by Law Office of Matthew L. Sharp

Car Accident

What Percentage of Car Accidents Are Caused by Drunk Drivers?Drunk driving is a dangerous and preventable issue that impacts individuals, families, and communities every day.

Whether you are attending a late-night party or an after-work happy hour, getting behind the wheel after drinking can have traumatic consequences.

But what percentage of car accidents are caused by drunk drivers? In this blog, we will look at the numbers and see what makes intoxication dangerous behind the wheel.

What the Numbers Say

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that 32% of all fatal traffic crashes in the U.S. involve drunk drivers with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher.

In Nevada, 184 individuals lost their lives in fatal drunk driving incidents in 2022, per the Nevada Crash Data Dashboard.

Every year, thousands of lives are cut short by drivers who are too impaired to make safe decisions on the road.

But the problem isn’t limited to fatal crashes. Alcohol is involved in about 18% to 20% of accidents that result in injuries.

Why Does Drunk Driving Cause So Many Accidents?

Alcohol affects your brain. From the moment it enters your system, it starts to disrupt the abilities you need to drive safely. These can include:

  •  Reaction time: Even a small amount of alcohol slows your ability to react to sudden changes, like a pedestrian crossing or another car stopping unexpectedly.
  • Judgment: Alcohol impairs your decision-making. In turn, that makes it harder to recognize risks or avoid dangerous situations.
  • Coordination: Your physical ability to steer, brake, and respond to the road is compromised after drinking.

The risks skyrocket as your BAC goes up. With a BAC of 0.08%, you’re about four times more likely to cause a crash than a sober driver. At 0.15%, the risk jumps to 12 times more likely to be involved in an accident.

When and Where Do These Accidents Happen?

Drunk driving accidents do not occur evenly across all times and places. They’re more likely under specific circumstances, including: 

  • Late nights: Most alcohol-related crashes happen between midnight and 3 a.m. when bars and parties are winding down.
  • Weekends: Social drinking tends to peak on Friday and Saturday nights.
  • Younger Drivers: Drivers between the ages of 21 and 34 are responsible for nearly 50% of all alcohol-related fatal crashes, per the above-cited NHTSA data.
  • Rural areas: Rural roads see more alcohol-related accidents. This could be due to longer distances to get home and fewer transportation options like rideshares. One study showed that in cities with high rideshare usage, alcohol-related crashes have dropped by up to 7%.

Nevada Law and Drunk Driving

Nevada law prohibits operating a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% or higher or while impaired by alcohol, controlled substances, or other intoxicants.

However, these levels may be lower depending on the driver’s age (under 21: A BAC of 0.02% or more) or license classification (commercial drivers: A BAC of 0.04% or more).

While penalties for a first or second offense are misdemeanors, the consequences increase with repeated convictions. A third offense is considered a Category B felony.

Also, if the drunk driver caused an injury or death, that is also a Category B felony. These penalties can include

  • Incarceration: Two to 20 years in state prison
  • Fines: $2,000 to $5,000, plus additional fees
  • License revocation: Three years

Along with that, the injured victims or their family members can pursue compensation against the drunk driver. They will be responsible for any damages related to the accident, such as medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Since this behavior is often considered egregious, there is also a higher chance of receiving punitive damages as well.

Drunk driving is preventable. Those who choose to get behind the wheel while drunk need to be held accountable for their actions.

While criminal charges are likely in these cases, victims can also pursue civil action to recoup compensation for losses, injuries, and other damages. A Reno car accident lawyer can help you get on the right path.

At the Law Office of Matthew L. Sharp, we know that there is no excuse to operate a vehicle in this manner. We want to make sure to hold these irresponsible people accountable for their negligence. If you have been injured or lost a loved one, we are here to help you discover your legal options.