Total and Alcohol-Related Fatality Rates by State, 2003-2004

Fatality rates from traffic crashes related to alcohol declined in 33 States and the District of Columbia in 2004. Using the standard measurement of 100 million vehicle miles traveled (VMT), the alcohol-related fatality rate for the United States declined to 0.56 in 2004 from 0.59 fatalities per 100 million VMT in 2003. The fatality rate remained flat or increased in 17 States and Puerto Rico during the same period. In crashes involving at least one driver or motorcycle operator who had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 g/dL or above, the fatality rate declined in 32 States and the District of Columbia, and remained flat or increased in 18 States and Puerto Rico. The corresponding rate for the United States declined from 0.45 to 0.43 fatalities per 100 million VMT.