Hardcore drunk drivers, those who drive at high BAC's (0.15 or above), do so repeatedly as demonstrated by having more than one drunk driving arrest, and are highly resistant to changing their behavior despite previous sanctions, treatment or education, continue to account for a disproportionate share of alcohol-related traffic fatalities each year.

In 2009, 70% of drivers involved in drunk driving fatalities had a a BAC level of .15 or higher – a trend that has remained relatively unchanged for more than a decade. (Source: NHTSA/FARS, 2010) 

Three percent of drivers involved in fatal crashes in 2009 had a prior DWI conviction within the past three years.  Among these drivers with a prior DWI conviction 44% were involved in a fatal crash and had a BAC level of 0.15 or higher at the time of the crash. (Source: NHTSA/FARS, 2010)

The median BAC level remains twice the legal limit at 0.17, and drivers with a BAC level of .15 or higher in fatal crashes were nine times more likely to have a prior conviction for driving while impaired than non-drinking drivers.  (Source: NHTSA, Traffic Safety Facts "Alcohol-Impaired Driving," 2010) 

Compared with drivers who have not consumed alcohol, drivers with BACs of .15 or above are 380 times more likely to be involved in a single-vehicle fatal crash than a non-drinking driver. (Source: Zador, P.L. Alcohol related relative risk of fatal driver injuries in relation to driver age and sex. Journal of Studies on Alcohol 52(4):302-310, 1991.) Download and share our 2007 report, Stopping Hardcore Drunk Driving: Offenders' Perspective on Deterrence.