Every time we enter a vehicle and venture out on the roads, we're putting ourselves at risk of injury or even death. According to the National Safety Council, car accidents are so frequently dangerous that there is a 1 in 114 chance that a person will sustain serious injuries from a car accident. These odds dramatically increase when alcohol is involved. We hope our informative infographic about DUI statistics in Florida can help bring light to this unfortunate issue and decrease the rate of alcohol-related accidents.

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Most Recent Florida DUI Statistics [Infographic]

Florida DUI Statistics Explained

In 2017, there were 5,125 alcohol-related car crashes in Florida. Of the 350 individuals who lost their lives in those crashes, not all of them had been drinking, but all were affected by another's mistake.

Fortunately, there does seem to be some light at the end of the tunnel. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FHSMV), the number of alcohol-related crashes in Florida decreased from 2016 to 2017. In 2016 there were 417 fatalities, compared to 350 in 2017. From 2016 to 2017, fatalities decreased by 16.07% and non-fatal injuries decreased by 3.96%.

This decrease of accidents and fatalities may be a result of:

More people using rideshares such as Uber or Lyft.

Fewer younger people driving.

The steady increase of safe driving education.

Every year, alcohol has been present in over 25% of all reported accidents in Florida. The FHSMV believes there are far more incidents that go unreported because of the fear of DUI repurcussions. In 2017, driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs accounted for 26% of all fatal traffic accidents.

What age group causes the most accidents?

The two age groups that experienced the most accidents were 25- to 29-year-olds and 55- to 59-year-olds. According to the FHSMV, there were 31 deaths among 25- to 29-year-olds and 26 deaths among 55- to 59-year-olds in 2017 alone.

Most Dangerous Driving Cities in Florida

Contrary to popular belief, the most accidents happen in rural areas. While there are more accidents in congested areas, more people in rural areas speed on a daily basis. Since higher speeds cause more serious injuries, this increases the chances of auto accidents, auto accident injuries, and accident-related fatalities in rural areas.

Despite the slight decrease in alcohol-related accidents, there is a particularly high rate of dangerous auto accidents in Florida every year. Two of the most accident-prone cities in Florida are Orlando and Daytona Beach. Orlando ranked as the 6th most dangerous city, with 4.06 DUI-related deaths per 100,000 residents. Daytona ranked as the 9th most dangerous city, with 2.73 DUI-related deaths per 100,000 residents.

What is BAC?

BAC, or blood alcohol content, is the percentage of alcohol in a person's bloodstream at a given time. The state of Florida prohibits the use of any type of vehicle if you have a BAC of 0.08% or above. If you need to drive and are unsure of what your BAC might be, you can use a BAC calculator to get an estimate of your blood alcohol content before getting behind the wheel.

What is the average cost of a DUI?

The average cost of a DUI in the United States is about $10,000. This is a national average and could be much more depending on the nature and details of any individual accident. The most effective way to avoid the costs of a DUI is to not drive under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.

DUI Defense Attorneys

If you or a loved one have been involved in a DUI accident or were charged with DUI, you should seek the legal counsel of an experienced DUI lawyer immediately. Our team of dedicated DUI defense attorneys have extensive experience successfully defending those charged with DUI and DUI-related crimes in Florida. The first 24 hours can make a huge difference in the outcome of your case. Call 386-222-6677 to schedule your free consultation with one of our skilled DUI lawyers and get the DUI defense you need.