California Drunk Driving Statistics
After a downward trend that began in 1982, California drunk driving statistics are on the rise again and as a result, the State of California has enacted harsher penalties for those convicted of DUI charges. DUI statistics in California are separated and analyzed in countless ways by state officials who attempt to determine why so many Californians drink and drive each year. Anyone charged with driving under the influence can face steep fines, jail or prison time, loss of driver’s license, and other penalties. California DUI lawyers such as those at Takakjian Sowers & Sitkoff LLP, a Los Angeles drunk driving defense law firm, can often have the charges dropped or reduced to lesser charges.
DUI Statistics in California
To give our readers an idea of the size of California’s DUI problems, we’ve compiled a list of DUI statistics in California in an effort to inform and help combat this problem. Here are some California drunk driving statistics:
- In 2006, 4,195 Californians were killed in auto accidents. Of those, 1,779 were killed in accidents involving alcohol.
- There were 31,099 drunk drinking-related injuries in California in 2006.
- California law enforcement officials made 197,248 DUI arrests in 2006.
- Almost 82 percent of people arrested for DUI are male.
- Last year, around 151,000 people enrolled in California’s licensed DUI programs.
- Of the people convicted of DUI in 2005, 72.9 percent were first-time offenders, 20.1 percent were convicted of DUI for the second time, 5.3 percent were convicted of their third DUI, and 1.7 percent had four or more DUI convictions
- In 2006, 849 out of every 100,000 licensed California drivers were arrested fro DUI.
- Misdemeanor DUI arrests outnumbered felony DUI arrests 191,057 to 6191 in 2006.
- Of the 197,248 Californians arrested for DUI in 2006, 148,066 resulted in DUI convictions.
- From a peak of 17,446 alcohol-related reckless driving convictions in 1996, the numbers have steadily declined to 14,517 in 2006.
California DUI Lawyers
If you or someone you care for has been charged with DUI in California, call the Los Angeles DUI law firm Takakjian Sowers & Sitkoff LLP as soon as possible. Their team of California DUI attorneys will work hard to have the charges dropped or reduced to lesser charges. For a FREE consultation, call them 24 hours a day at 866.299.4111. They will investigate the charges, explain your options, and protect your rights at all times. Call them today to speak with an experienced California DUI attorney!
