A Third of Traffic Fatalities in California Due to Drunk Drivers

Across the nation, each state has their own drunk driving laws. Some states might be stricter than others, but even with cars boasting almost-telepathic braking systems, rear-view cameras, and collision-avoidance systems, some people cannot be saved from themselves. As LA Weekly reports, more than one-third of all traffic fatalities in California can be blamed on drunken drivers.

That statistic is courtesy of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Wallet Hub’s analysis on the strictest and most lenient states on DUI found that California has some of the toughest penalties for those who get lit and then decide to get behind the wheel.

The state ranked first in the country for average insurance rate increases for DUI convicted drivers. The state ranked fifth for the amount of time a DUI offender would spend in jail. California ranked sixth for the length and severity of driver’s license suspensions after a DUI conviction.

The advocacy group Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (MADD) says that California can do better when it comes to discouraging DUI drivers. The organization gave California just 3.5 out of 5 stars when it came to discouraging DUI.

Wallet Hub’s analysis tends to agree with MADD. The state only ranked 21st overall in the nationwide analysis. If measured solely by prevention measures, the state falls to 31.

Arizona ranked first for criminal penalties and second for prevention efforts, giving that state the title of “Strictest State.”

The most lenient state was determined to be South Dakota.

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