Drunk driving incidents are preventable, but the reality is that in the United States, there are 37 drunk driving fatalities each day. Driving drunk is hazardous to you and others on the road, but there are additional issues. A drunk driving conviction could result in serious consequences. In some states, the offense may be treated as a misdemeanor or a civil infraction. Depending on the state, penalties could involve a fine, jail time, mandatory alcohol treatment, probation, or community service. When a death is involved, it may result in a felony DUI and a prison sentence. These are the worst states for drunk driving in 2025:
Montana
For every licensed driver, 8.57 drunk drivers are responsible for 7.14 fatalities for every 100,000 state residents. Another high-risk group is underage drivers. The state has the highest rate of underage drunk drivers in the country. A first offense could result in 24 hours or up to six months in jail and a fine. If passengers under 16 are involved, the penalties could be significantly higher.
South Dakota
The highest number of DUI arrests per 100,000 residents is in South Dakota. More than one-third of all the traffic fatalities in the state are the result of drunk drivers. South Dakota is the eighth highest state for traffic fatalities caused by drunk drivers under the age of 21.
Texas
Texas ranks as the second worst for the number of drunk drivers involved in fatal accidents and has the third highest rate nationwide for underage drunk drivers involved in fatal traffic accidents. In Texas, intoxication manslaughter could carry a fine of up to 20 years.
Wyoming
Wyoming has the third-highest rate of DUI arrests, the third-highest rate of people driving drunk who are responsible for fatalities, and the fifth-highest rate of drunk drivers under the age of 21. Offenders could face six months in prison.
North Dakota
North Dakota has the second-highest rate of arrests for DUIs, behind South Dakota. The state also has the highest rate of drunk drivers responsible for fatal car accidents. Nearly five of all people who die in fatal auto crashes are killed by a drunk driver.
Oregon
Oregon has the fifth-highest rate of car accident fatalities caused by motorists driving drunk. The state also has the 11th highest number of drivers under 21 who are responsible for drunk driving fatal car crashes.
New Mexico
New Mexico may be the Land of Enchantment, but it has the country’s second-highest rate of drivers under the age of 21 who are involved in car accidents that cause fatalities. The state determines the penalty based on the severity of the crash. Penalties could range from the license being revoked, prison time, or an ignition locking device.
South Carolina
South Carolina, the Palmetto State, has the sixth-highest rate nationwide of drivers under 21 who are involved in car crashes in which there’s a fatality. The state also has the fifth-highest rate in the country of drivers who cause accidents that are alcohol-related.
Missouri
Missouri, the Show Me State, holds the highest number of drivers with a blood alcohol level of 6.69 percent who cause deaths from traffic accidents. Missouri drivers kill 4.30 percent of every 100,000 residents in alcohol related auto crashes.
Oklahoma
Licensed drivers in the Sooner State are responsible for the 10th highest rate of residents who die as a result of a drunk driving accident. The state also holds the record as the state with the 10th highest rate of drivers under 21 who cause fatalities in accidents.
Conclusion
Drunk drivers cause injury and deaths on US roads every day. Even states that have considerably lower rates of drunk drivers, lose lives. Delaware, which ranked 49th saw 3 people killed for every 100,000 residents. In Georgia, alcohol-related fatalities make up 27% of all road deaths. Drunk driver awareness programs as well as new technologies that detect driver impairment are steps to reducing these tragedies and making roads safer.