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Illinois Drunk Driving Fact Sheet

The Magnitude of the Problem

Nearly three out of every ten Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related traffic crash in their lifetime.

Each year, about 8 percent of all police-reported motor vehicle crashes are alcohol-related.

In Illinois during 2002, 51,649 people were arrested for DUI.

The proportion of fatal crashes that are alcohol related is approximately three times greater at night than during the day.

Each year, about 310,000 people suffer injuries in alcohol-related traffic crashes, an average of one person injured approximately every 2 minutes.

Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC)

A blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or greater is the level at which a driver is considered legally intoxicated in Illinois .

A driver can also be arrested and prosecuted for Driving Under the Influence (DUI) with a BAC in excess of .05 but less than .08.

In 2002, 45.83 percent of fatally injured drivers who were tested for a BAC level were found to have been drinking, and 39.54 percent had a BAC of .08 or greater.

Drunk Driving and Young People

: Although 16-24 year olds comprise only 15.52 percent of the licensed drivers in the state, they are involved in 38.85 percent of all fatal alcohol-related crashes.

In 2002, nearly 32 percent of the fatally injured teenaged drivers (age 16-19) were legally intoxicated.

224 young adult drivers between 16 and 24 years old were killed in fatal crashes in 2002. Of these, 106 had a BAC level of .08 or greater.

Nearly 33 percent of the fatally injured teenage drivers (age 16-19) were drinking prior to their crash.

Of the 396 drivers involved in fatal crashes in 2002 and found to be legally intoxicated, 35.10 percent were between 16 and 24 years of age.

Almost 37 percent of the fatally injured drivers under age 21 who were tested for BAC were drinking prior to their crash. 39.66 percent were at .08 BAC or greater.

In Illinois , in 2002, 83 children under the age of 16 were killed in motor vehicle crashes.

Illinois ' zero tolerance law became effective January 1, 1995 . Each year there are approximately 3,000 zero tolerance violations recorded.; In 2002, nearly 32 percent of the fatally injured teenaged drivers (age 16-19) were legally intoxicated.

224 young adult drivers between 16 and 24 years old were killed in fatal crashes in 2002. Of these, 106 had a BAC level of .08 or greater.

Nearly 33 percent of the fatally injured teenage drivers (age 16-19) were drinking prior to their crash.

Of the 396 drivers involved in fatal crashes in 2002 and found to be legally intoxicated, 35.10 percent were between 16 and 24 years of age.

Almost 37 percent of the fatally injured drivers under age 21 who were tested for BAC were drinking prior to their crash. 39.66 percent were at .08 BAC or greater.

In Illinois , in 2002, 83 children under the age of 16 were killed in motor vehicle crashes.

Illinois ' zero tolerance law became effective January 1, 1995 . Each year there are approximately 3,000 zero tolerance violations recorded.; 224 young adult drivers between 16 and 24 years old were killed in fatal crashes in 2002. Of these, 106 had a BAC level of .08 or greater.

Nearly 33 percent of the fatally injured teenage drivers (age 16-19) were drinking prior to their crash.

Of the 396 drivers involved in fatal crashes in 2002 and found to be legally intoxicated, 35.10 percent were between 16 and 24 years of age.

Almost 37 percent of the fatally injured drivers under age 21 who were tested for BAC were drinking prior to their crash. 39.66 percent were at .08 BAC or greater.

In Illinois , in 2002, 83 children under the age of 16 were killed in motor vehicle crashes.

Illinois ' zero tolerance law became effective January 1, 1995 . Each year there are approximately 3,000 zero tolerance violations recorded.; Nearly 33 percent of the fatally injured teenage drivers (age 16-19) were drinking prior to their crash.

Of the 396 drivers involved in fatal crashes in 2002 and found to be legally intoxicated, 35.10 percent were between 16 and 24 years of age.

Almost 37 percent of the fatally injured drivers under age 21 who were tested for BAC were drinking prior to their crash. 39.66 percent were at .08 BAC or greater.

In Illinois , in 2002, 83 children under the age of 16 were killed in motor vehicle crashes.

Illinois ' zero tolerance law became effective January 1, 1995 . Each year there are approximately 3,000 zero tolerance violations recorded.; Of the 396 drivers involved in fatal crashes in 2002 and found to be legally intoxicated, 35.10 percent were between 16 and 24 years of age.

Almost 37 percent of the fatally injured drivers under age 21 who were tested for BAC were drinking prior to their crash. 39.66 percent were at .08 BAC or greater.

In Illinois , in 2002, 83 children under the age of 16 were killed in motor vehicle crashes.

Illinois ' zero tolerance law became effective January 1, 1995 . Each year there are approximately 3,000 zero tolerance violations recorded.; Almost 37 percent of the fatally injured drivers under age 21 who were tested for BAC were drinking prior to their crash. 39.66 percent were at .08 BAC or greater.

In Illinois , in 2002, 83 children under the age of 16 were killed in motor vehicle crashes.

Illinois ' zero tolerance law became effective January 1, 1995 . Each year there are approximately 3,000 zero tolerance violations recorded.; In Illinois , in 2002, 83 children under the age of 16 were killed in motor vehicle crashes.

Illinois ' zero tolerance law became effective January 1, 1995 . Each year there are approximately 3,000 zero tolerance violations recorded.; Illinois ' zero tolerance law became effective January 1, 1995 . Each year there are approximately 3,000 zero tolerance violations recorded.

Safety Belts and Alcohol

: Safety belts were used by approximately 12.3 percent of fatally injured intoxicated (BAC> .08) drivers as compared to 36.7 percent of sober drivers killed in crashes.

Drivers involved in fatal crashes who have been drinking use safety belts at a substantially lower rate than sober drivers
: Drivers involved in fatal crashes who have been drinking use safety belts at a substantially lower rate than sober drivers

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