Number of Drunk Driving Crashes Involving Women Skyrocket Over the Past Decade

According to a study released by the Automobile Club of Southern California, the number of women killed in alcohol related car accidents in California has increased dramatically over the past decade. The study revealed that the number of women drivers aged 21-24 who are involved in alcohol related accidents has risen approximately 116% between 1998 and 2007. The Automobile Club study then compared this figure to male crash statistics, which indicated an increase over the same period of only 39%. These findings have indicated to researchers that the female drinking pattern has been radically altered over the past ten years.

The analysis also indicates that young women drivers, passengers, and pedestrians' alcohol related deaths and injuries have risen substantially over the past decade. In 1998, statistics reported that approximately 1,037 women aged 21-24 were killed or injured in alcohol related crashes. In 2007, this level rose to approximately 1,515 injuries or fatalities, displaying a 46% increase since 1998. For men of the same age category, alcohol related deaths and injuries increased by only 18%.

The increase in female deaths and injuries resulting from alcohol related crashes also applied to females falling into the 18-20 age group. While statistics indicated a 74% increase from 1998 to 2007 for women aged 18-20, the percent increase for men dying or being injured in alcohol related incidents increased 27%.

These findings were presented this morning at the first annual Orange County Drinking and Driving Forum. Steven A. Bloch, Automobile Club senior traffic safety researcher explained the Club's results, stating, "The analysis shows that young women are rapidly catching up with men in terms of risk-taking behavior and incurring the consequences of risk-taking, such as alcohol-involved motor vehicle crashes. Reasons for this include the increase in the number of women obtaining drivers' licenses, women driving more miles and driving more aggressively like their male counterparts."

Bloch added, "These numbers suggest a significant change in our driving culture overall. Despite the $13,500 to $15,000 in fines, fees, and penalties associated with a DUI conviction and the threat of death or injury, young women in particular are increasingly driving in a more risky fashion."

Regardless of the large discrepancy in percent increase between male and female age groups, more generally, these statistics indicate a large increase in the number of alcohol related accidents and fatalities over the past decade.

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