Drunk Driving Fatalities Down But Remain Leading Culprit
Drunk driving fatalities fell 1.1% in 2017 compared with 2016, and alcohol impairment remains the leading cause of highway deaths, according to the most recent data released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Drunk driving fatalities fell 1.1% in 2017 but the issue remains a top concern for highway safety advocates.
Photo via Zachary Hada/U.S. Air Force.
Drunk driving fatalities fell 1.1% in 2017 compared with 2016, and alcohol impairment remains the leading cause of highway deaths, according to the most recent data released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Of the 37,133 people who died in traffic crashes in 2017, 29% of those killed, or 10,874, were due to drunk driving. While this 29% of overall fatalities is the lowest percentage since 1982, when NHTSA started reporting alcohol data, it still shows that drunk driving remains the top cause of fatal crashes nationwide.
The NHTSA data drills down to the state level as well. Twenty-six states and Puerto Rico saw declines in the number of alcohol-impaired-driving fatalities. Florida had the largest decrease, with 66 fewer lives lost in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes in 2017.
Conversely, 21 states and the District of Columbia saw increases in the number of alcohol-impaired-driving fatalities, with the largest increase of 67 fatalities in Michigan, followed by 44 more in Maryland.
New Mexico, New York, and Utah saw no change in the number of alcohol-impaired-driving fatalities from 2016 to 2017.
Nationwide, drunk driving deaths and overall traffic fatalities had increased over the previous year in both 2015 and 2016. However, the slight drop in 2017 is not enough, according to Mothers Against Drink Driving.
"One death is too many, but almost 11,000 lives lost, two years in a row, is devastating. It's unacceptable," said Colleen Sheehey-Church, president of MADD. "We must double-down on preventing this violent crime with strong laws, diligent law enforcement and making sure we are taking personal responsibility in our own lives to always plan ahead for a non-drinking driver when plans include alcohol."
Originally posted on Automotive Fleet
More Small Fleet

Why Fleet Managers Are Replacing Departmental Vehicles with Shared Motor Pools
Departmentally assigned vehicles often create hidden costs through underutilization, poor visibility, and increased administrative burden. This white paper explores how shared motor pool strategies help fleets reduce costs, improve accountability, and optimize vehicle utilization.
Read More →
Boosting Last-Mile Fleet Uptime, Safety, and Value with AI Vehicle Inspections
AI-powered inspections are transforming last-mile fleets by replacing manual checks with highly accurate automated scans that detect defects in seconds. By giving fleet operations visibility into the daily condition of their vehicles, you can identify trends over the vehicle’s lifecycle that enable improved procurement decisions, route management, driver training and accountability.
Read More →
Five Ways Seat Belts Help Prevent Injuries
There are five ways seat belts protect occupants from injuries, according to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security.
Read More →
It’s here: The 2026 Fleet Technology Trends Report
What does AI mean for fleets? Get the answer — and learn other top tech trends.
Read More →
Small Fleets, Big Impact: How Independent Drivers Power Wreaths Across America
Check out how small fleets and independent drivers power Wreaths Across America each December and why their impact matters more than ever.
Read More →
VMS Survey Finds 65% of Small Fleet Managers Run Operations Alone
A new VMS survey shows small fleet managers are stretched thin, with most handling operations solo and eager to adopt digital tools for relief.
Read More →
Tips for Driving Safely on Halloween Night
This video features a reminder from the Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association, urging drivers to prioritize safety this Halloween.
Read More →
AI, Access, and Uptime: VMS’s Next Chapter with David Prusinski
VMS’s new Co-CEO, David Prusinski, shares how an AI-first approach will give small fleets and repair shops the tools to compete like big players.
Read More →
Fleet Managers Share Winter Prep Tips: It's Never Too Early!
Three fleets share best practices to prep vehicles for winter and prevent downtime when the cold sets in.
Read More →
Hot Weather Driving Tips for Fleet Drivers
As we head into another potentially extreme summer season, the risks for fleet drivers remain high, from engine strain and tire blowouts to unpredictable traffic patterns. An expert shares advice on how fleet drivers can boost their safety during the steamy summer months.
Read More →
