According to a recent survey of National Highway Traffic Safety Administration figures, Minnesota ranks as one of the safest states in the US when it comes to fatal drunk driving accidents.
The data, which was compiled by Safewise.com, took a look at a number of different factors regarding drunk driving in the US. They wanted to see which states had the highest rate of fatal DUI car crashes per capita, and which ones had the fewest. You can see how they rank by looking at this infographic Safewise put together.
According to the data, the five most dangerous states for fatal DUI crashes were Wyoming, South Carolina, North Dakota, New Mexico and Alabama. Here’s how many fatal car crashes involving alcohol each of these states had per 100,000 people.
1. Wyoming – 7.59
2. South Carolina 6.22
3. North Dakota – 6.08
4. Arizona – 5.74
5. Alabama – 5.49.
Of that list, only South Carolina requires jail time for first time drunk driving offenders.
“The majority of U.S. states require mandatory alcohol abuse assessment or treatment after a DUI conviction, but neither is required in four out of the five worst states for drunken driving deaths,” Safewise said in a statement. “Among the five states with the most drunken driving deaths, the average minimum fine for the first DUI conviction is $300, compared to $524 among the five states with the fewest drunken driving deaths.”
Safest States
On the flip side, our home state of Minnesota actually ranked as one of the states with the fewest fatal DUI crashes in the country. We came in third on the list, behind New Jersey and New York, which both have a lot of residents who take public transportation or don’t have their own vehicle. Here’s how the top five stacked up per 100,000 residents.
1. New Jersey – 1.38
2. New York – 1.48
3. Minnesota – 1.52
4. Utah – 1.70
5. Massachusetts – 1.74
To see how your state ranked, or to read more about the survey and its findings, swing on over to Safewise’s site. And if you need legal representation after a drunk driving accident or arrest, be sure to give the experienced lawyers at Appelman Law Firm a call today at (952) 224-2277.
