The Dangerous Link Between Alcohol Use Disorder and Impaired Driving

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) and impaired driving are two public safety issues that continue to claim lives across the U.S., and the connection between the two is more serious than most people realize. At DeMayo Law Offices, we analyzed national data and found a clear link between the widespread use of alcohol, rates of AUD, and fatal car crashes caused by impaired driving.

In 2023, there were 40,990 deaths from motor vehicle accidents. While that’s a slight dip from 2022’s 42,514, the number remains staggeringly high. A large portion of these fatalities can be traced back to alcohol. Just one year earlier, in 2022, drunk driving accounted for 13,524 deaths, that’s 32% of all fatal crashes, or one life lost every 39 minutes.

But behind these numbers is an even more sobering reality: alcohol use is extremely common in the U.S., and so is problematic drinking. According to national studies, 66% of adults reported drinking in the past year. That’s more than 172 million people. And of those, nearly 29 million Americans, including over 750,000 teens, struggle with Alcohol Use Disorder. That’s roughly 1 in 10 people.

Why does that matter? People with AUD are significantly more likely to drive while impaired. Research shows that nearly 29% of those with AUD admitted to driving under the influence in the past year. That number jumps to nearly 47% for those also dealing with another substance use disorder. Among first-time DWI offenders, about a third to half have AUD. And for repeat offenders, the numbers are even more alarming—up to 84% have been diagnosed with the disorder.

Men are disproportionately affected. In 2022, 23% of male drivers involved in fatal crashes were legally drunk, compared to 17% of female drivers. And some states show a much higher prevalence of AUD and drunk driving arrests than others, pointing to regional trends that impact public safety.

So why is alcohol such a deadly factor on the road? It severely interferes with the basic skills needed to drive. Even at low levels, alcohol slows reaction time, dulls coordination, clouds judgment, and affects vision. A blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of just 0.02%, well below the legal limit, can already reduce your ability to make safe decisions behind the wheel. By 0.08%, the legal threshold for impairment, critical motor function, and cognitive processes is significantly compromised.

What’s more, BAC doesn’t affect everyone equally. For example, a man and woman of the same weight can drink the same amount in the same time and still have very different BAC levels due to biological differences in how alcohol is processed.

So, how do we reduce the risk? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend a few key steps: don’t drink and drive, use a rideshare service, arrange a sober ride, or simply stay the night if you’re out drinking. Choosing non-alcoholic drinks and always wearing a seatbelt can also improve your odds of staying safe.

Still, even when you make all the right choices, accidents can happen, especially when someone else on the road is under the influence.