• August 3rd, 2021

The Labor Day holiday weekend is one of the deadliest times of the year in terms of drunk-driving fatalities. With NHTSA’s support, state and local law enforcement agencies across the nation are stepping-up enforcement to keep communities safe by putting an end to drunk driving.

Sobering Statistics

  • Approximately one-third of all traffic crash fatalities in the United States involve drunk drivers (with blood alcohol concentrations [BACs] at or above .08). In 2018, there were 10,511 people killed in drunk-driving crashes. To put it in perspective, that’s equal to about 20 jumbo jets crashing, with no survivors.
  • Nationally, it is illegal to drive with a BAC of .08 or higher — no exceptions.
  • Of the traffic fatalities in 2018 among children 14 and younger, 22% (231) occurred in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes.

Labor Day Statistics

  • During the 2018 Labor Day holiday period (6 p.m. August 31 – 5:59 a.m. September 4), 38% of fatalities in traffic crashes involved a drunk driver.
  • During the 2018 Labor Day holiday period, there were 439 crash fatalities nationwide. Forty-three percent of those fatalities involved drivers who had been drinking (.01+ BAC). More than one-third (38%) of the fatalities involved drivers who were drunk (.08+ BAC), and nearly one-fourth (24%) involved drivers who were driving with a BAC almost twice the legal limit (.15+ BAC).
  • In fatal crashes during the month of August over the five-year period of 2014-2018, nearly one in ten (9%) of the drunk drivers involved, with a BAC of .08 or higher, had one or more previous convictions for drunk driving.

The Cost of Drunk Driving

  • On average, a DUI can set you back $10,000 in attorney’s fees, fines, court costs, lost time at work, higher insurance rates, car towing, and more.
  • The financial impact from impaired-driving crashes is devastating. Based on 2010 numbers (the most recent year for which cost data is available), impaired-driving crashes cost the United States $44 billion annually.
  • If you’re caught drinking and driving, you can face jail time. Imagine trying to explain that to your friends and family or your place of employment.

Celebrate with a Plan

Always remember to plan ahead if you will be celebrating. If you plan to drink, plan for a sober driver to take you home. Is it your turn to be the designated driver? Take that role seriously and do not consume alcohol, not even one drink.

See more statistics here.