Drunk driving in America: By the numbers

Rates of drunk and drugged driving are on the decline, but they're still not low enough

A policeman gives a breathalyzer test; Wisconsin has the highest rate of drunk driving -- 23.7 percent.
(Image credit: Corbis)

'Tis the season for New Year's Eve parties, and as always, there's the real risk of drunken revelers getting behind the wheel. According to a new survey by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), over the course of an average year, 30 million Americans drive drunk, while 10 million drive under the influence of drugs. While those numbers may seem "staggering," they actually represent a small drop in the rate of drunk and drugged driving compared with recent years. Here, a brief guide, by the numbers:

13.2 percent

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