Montana has emerged as the most dangerous state in the country when it comes to drunk driving, according to recent findings from Premiere Law Group. The state recorded the highest percentage of alcohol-impaired driving fatalities in the U.S., with 44% of all traffic deaths in 2023 involving a driver under the influence of alcohol.
Equally alarming is that 31% of Montana’s fatal crashes involved drivers with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.15 g/dL or higher — nearly double the legal limit. This places Montana not only at the top of the nation for impaired driving fatalities overall but also for severe alcohol impairment among drivers involved in fatal crashes.
While Montana leads in percentage-based statistics, other states also struggle with alcohol-related traffic deaths. The study found that:
Connecticut followed with 38% of its traffic deaths involving alcohol.
Massachusetts and Arizona tied at 36%.
California recorded the highest number of deaths from alcohol-impaired driving overall (1,370), although its percentage was lower at 32%.
Conversely, the states with the lowest percentages of alcohol-related fatalities were predominantly in the South, including:
Mississippi (20%)
Georgia (22%)
Kentucky (24%)
Indiana and Delaware (25%)
The regional trends suggest that effective enforcement strategies and public education campaigns in Southern states are yielding positive results in reducing impaired driving deaths.
Montana’s particularly high rate of drivers with BACs of 0.15 g/dL or higher is especially concerning. At this level of intoxication, drivers experience severely impaired judgment, decreased reaction time, and poor motor coordination — conditions that dramatically increase the risk of causing fatal crashes.
According to traffic safety advocates, the correlation between high BAC levels and fatal outcomes is strong. States that struggle with reducing drunk driving fatalities typically also report high rates of severely impaired drivers behind the wheel.
The findings underscore a persistent national challenge — how to prevent preventable deaths on our roadways. Advocacy groups and legal experts alike emphasize that drunk driving is not a random accident, but a conscious and negligent act. It is preventable through:
Stricter DUI laws and enforcement
Widespread public education
Support for ride-sharing services and designated driver programs
Accountability for establishments that overserve alcohol
States like Montana, with disproportionate drunk driving death rates, may benefit from studying and adopting successful policy models from lower-risk states.
Behind each statistic is a human story — a family left grieving, a child without a parent, a survivor battling physical and emotional trauma. While criminal justice proceedings hold offenders accountable, civil law offers a path for victims and families to pursue justice and compensation.
Victims of drunk driving crashes — or their surviving family members — may file civil claims for:
Medical bills and rehabilitation costs
Funeral and burial expenses
Pain and suffering
Loss of companionship or parental guidance
Punitive damages in extreme cases of gross negligence or severe impairment
Civil action can also extend to third parties under dram shop laws, which allow lawsuits against bars, restaurants, or event hosts that serve alcohol irresponsibly.
At Haggard Crime Victim Attorney, we believe no one should suffer the life-altering consequences of someone else’s reckless decision to drive under the influence. With a proven track record of advocating for victims of DUI-related injuries and fatalities, we stand ready to help victims and their families pursue justice and rightful compensation.
Our firm investigates all avenues of liability — including the drunk driver, negligent alcohol providers, and other parties who may have contributed to the tragedy. We provide compassionate, aggressive representation and operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t pay unless we win your case.
If you or a loved one has been affected by a drunk driving crash in Florida, contact Haggard Crime Victim Attorney today for a free, confidential consultation. We’re here to stand with you, fight for you, and help you begin the journey to healing.
Source:
