According to a new study released in March by BackgroundChecks.org, Colorado is the 21st worst state for DUI in the country.
The company was able to create comprehensive scores for every state by combining data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Transportation, and other local state statistics.
According to the study, the worst states for DUI problems were Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, and South Carolina. The five safest states included New York, Massachusetts, Illinois, New Jersey, and Utah.
The authors of the study hope that it will make the public aware of the sad fact that more than 10,000 people die each year nationwide in DUI accidents.
According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving and the CDC, the number of DUIs increased nationwide last year.
Colorado Specific Drunk Driving Statistics
Since 1982, when the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration started tracking alcohol-related statistics, orchestrated awareness campaigns by law enforcement and public safety organizations have reduced the number of drunk driving deaths on U.S. roadways by just over 50 percent.
Despite this dramatic reduction, there is still much that can be done to eliminate this senseless type of tragedy.
In 2015, of the total 545 traffic fatalities in Colorado, 32 percent were alcohol-related.
On the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website, drunk driving statistics are broken down by state. Here’s how Colorado ranked among them for the period from 2003-2012 in various categories:
- 9 percent of drivers in Colorado reported driving after drinking too much sometime in the past 30 days
- Per 100,000 population, 3.9 of alcohol-related traffic deaths were men, 1.1 were women
Further Reading: How Dangerous Are Immigrants? Not as Dangerous as Citizens According to Study
National Drunk Driving Statistics
Here, you can see how the Colorado figures compare to national statistics:
- 9 percent of drivers nationwide reported driving after having too much to drink sometime in the past 30 days
- Per 100,000 population, 5.2 of alcohol-related traffic deaths were men, 1.5 were women
DUI Consequences in Colorado
You’ve already read about the cost of alcohol-impaired driving in terms of human life, however, a DUI can affect other aspects of your life.
There are two tiers of alcohol-impaired driving offenses in Colorado. Both are determined by the level of alcohol in the motorist’s blood system. The two types of offenses are:
- Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol or Drugs (DUI)
- Driving While Ability is Impaired (DWAI)
The legal blood alcohol content (BAC) level for drivers ages 21-years or older is 0.08%. For drivers under the age of 21-years the limit is 0.02%. DWAI imposes a limit of 0.05%.
Consequences for either offense can carry administrative penalties, arrest, alcohol hearings, and criminal penalties.
Having a DUI on your driving record can also make it difficult to find employment and housing- not to mention the social stigma and embarrassment to your loved ones.
Contact Our Boulder Criminal Defense Attorney
If you or someone you love has been arrested and charged with DUI, it is important to know how serious these charges can be and how they can adversely affect your entire life. Contact the Boulder criminal defense lawyers at Steven Louth Law Offices today for a free consultation and review of your case. Call us at (303) 422-2297 to start building a solid defense against these serious criminal charges.