Florida Drunk Driving Statistics 2022

Examining Florida drunk driving statistics allows us to find ways to curb this dangerous behavior. While Florida is known for beautiful beaches and sunny weather, the prevalence of drunk driving is a darker side to the Sunshine State.

Drunk driving accidents and fatalities in Florida have long been a public safety concern, and the most recent data suggests that the problem is far from resolved. Shedding light on the latest Florida drunk driving statistics gives us a chance to understand that there is a problem that cannot change until we address it.

In case you are injured or a loved one is killed by a drunk driver, it is essential to seek the guidance of a Florida car accident attorney. We have experience handling these types of cases and will offer our skills and support during this terrible time. You are not a Florida drunk driving statistic. Call (407) 712-7300 today for a FREE case evaluation. Let us help you find the justice you deserve for your devastating losses.

Frightening Florida Drunk Driving Statistics

How Many Alcohol-Related Accidents Occur Each Year in Florida?

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) drunk driving statistics show that “About 31% of all traffic crash fatalities in the United States involve drunk drivers (with BACs of .08 g/dL or higher).” Though driving under the influence is illegal in every state, a person dies in a drunk-driving crash every 39 minutes.

According to Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), in 2022, there were approximately 5,232 alcohol-only, drunk driving-related crashes in Florida. There were over 3,052 injuries and 406 fatalities. This marks a nominal increase of about 2% in alcohol-only drunk driving incidents compared to the previous year.

In addition to alcohol-only crashes, there were 335 crashes related to alcohol and drugs (a 19% decrease from 2021) and 590 drug-only impaired driving crashes (a 21% decrease). Though the reductions in drug-impaired crashes are promising, they don’t relieve the pain that the families of the 659 people lost are suffering.

Read More: Year in Review: Florida Traffic Fatalities 2022

Accidents that involve drivers impaired by drugs in any way tend to be much more lethal than alcohol-only crashes. The tragedy is that every single one of these incidents could have been prevented.

December and March of 2022 had the most alcohol-only crashes, with 497 and 484, respectively. However, only one month fell below 400 crashes, which was June with 383.

During Labor Day weekend that year, the FLHSMV did its annual push for safety, reminding motorists to Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over. Unfortunately, 50% of all the fatalities that weekend resulted from a drug or alcohol-impaired driver. That was an increase of 25% from the previous year.

How Prevalent Is Alcohol Impairment Among Those Injured or Killed in Accidents?

In a study conducted by the NHTSA, blood draws were taken in trauma centers and medical examiners’ offices in 7 different U.S. cities for varying periods between 2019 and 2021. The goal was to better understand how many people involved in vehicle crashes were under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

The study found that nearly 56% of people tested were under the influence in some capacity. When it came to alcohol, 21% of road users admitted to the trauma center and 36% of the fatally injured had alcohol in their system. Of those who tested positive for alcohol, the most prevalent BAC range for both the trauma center and medical examiner sources was 0.15+ g/dL. 12.7% and 26.1% of road users tested in that range, respectively.

Read More: Florida Car Accident Statistics

What Is the DUI Rate in Florida?

Florida law enforcement wrote an estimated 44,001 DUI citations in 2022, per FLHSMV. This demonstrates a persistent problem, especially considering that the penalties for a DUI in Florida are severe.

What City in Florida Has the Most DUIs?

Insurify utilized its database of more than 4 million car insurance applications to determine the city with the highest share of DUI citations in each state. In this case, a “city” is defined as having a population of 50,000 or more. Jupiter was found to be the Florida city with the largest share of drivers with a DUI.

Is Florida Tough on DUI?

Yes. Save Arizona, Florida is considered to have harsher penalties than most other states. According to Florida Statutes § 316.193, a first-time DUI offense can result in:

• Fines ranging from $500 to $1,000
• Imprisonment for up to six months
• Mandatory DUI school education
• License revocation for a minimum of 180 days
• If refusing a required roadside test at the time of arrest, revocation is automatically extended to one year
• Possible ignition interlock device (IID), community service, and/or probation
• Conviction will remain on record for 75 years

A second DUI offense can result in:

• Fines ranging from $1,000 to $2,000
• Imprisonment for up to nine months
• Mandatory installation of an IID for a minimum of 1 year at the convicted person’s expense

If convicted of a third violation more than 10 years from the last offense, the offense can result in:

• Fines ranging from $2,000 to $5,000
• Imprisonment not to exceed 12 months
• Mandatory installation of an IID for a minimum of 2 years at the convicted person’s expense

If convicted of a third violation within 10 years of the last offense, it is considered a felony of the third degree. This offense can result in:

• Fine of $5,000
• Imprisonment not to exceed 5 years
• Mandatory installation of an IID for a minimum of 2 years at the convicted person’s expense

How Can Colling Gilbert Wright Help?

Florida drunk driving statistics are hard to digest. The most devastating realization is that every life lost could have been prevented. Not a single person who perished needed to, and it all came down to the choice of one individual to get behind the wheel of a car while inebriated.

Read More: What To Do After a Car Accident in Florida

In these senseless and destructive cases, the victims and their families are terribly affected. The sudden injury or loss of a loved one wreaks havoc threefold: physically, emotionally, and financially. Justice must be served to relieve a modicum of the pain suffered.

At Colling Gilbert Wright, our experience has brought us knowledge and skill, but more importantly, we have found constant inspiration in the clients we serve. Allow us to guide you through the legal process and seek just compensation in your case. When trusting us with your claim, we will do everything we can to support you during this trying time.

Contact us today for a FREE case evaluation. We are proud to serve our neighbors in Orlando and throughout Florida.