If you’re wondering about the sheer odds of getting arrested for driving under the influence (DUI), you may need to look no further than your age. Statistics paint a fairly clear picture of who gets involved in drunk driving incidents.
To keep things simple, let’s take a look at the connection between age and fatal DUI accidents. Of course, remember that many people get DUI charges after just a minor accident or without getting in an accident at all, but looking at these stats still helps to show you the overall picture with an age-based perspective.
Though the legal drinking age is 21, you will find that those between 16 and 20 years old still get involved in 17 percent of fatal DUI crashes. That makes them the age group with the fifth-highest total number of DUI fatalities.
However, the largest statistical spike occurs with drivers between the age of 21 and 24 years old. They account for 30 percent of these crashes, which is the largest percentage of all age groups.
The number of DUI fatalities goes on a steady decline as drivers get older. For those between 25 and 34 years old, it’s only 29 percent. While that’s close to the 30 percent listed above, remember that this age group is far larger. Next are those from 35 to 44 years old, with 24 percent. After that comes the 45 to 54 age group, with 20 percent.
Beyond that, things really start to fall. Drivers between 55 and 64 years old make up just 16 percent of DUI-related fatalities. Those between 65 and 74, only comprise 10 percent of deaths, and drivers who are 75 years old and older make up just 6 percent of the total.
It’s quite possible that the relationship between DUI fatalities and age has a lot to do with the adventurousness — and recklessness — of youth. While aging doesn’t always confer a lot of benefits, it does usually provide people with more experience and a healthy dose of caution.
No matter which age group you fit into, you can still make a mistake that can lead to a drunk driving arrest. If you’re facing serious charges from a fatal DUI accident, you absolutely have the right to a fair trial. Learn more about your defense options.