10 Worst Cities for Drunken Driving All in North Carolina, California

Driving drunk is a universally bad idea. Our latest study examines this dangerous habit, which imperils life and limb — and auto insurance premiums.

By analyzing tens of millions of QuoteWizard by LendingTree insurance quotes, we determined which of the 50 largest U.S. cities have the highest DUI rates. (Each of the top 10 is in North Carolina or California.) We also compiled DUI rates by age range and vehicle make.

Read on for the full findings.

Key findings

• North Carolina and California cities have the 10 highest DUI rates among the 50 largest in the U.S. Raleigh, N.C., is highest at 1.46 DUIs per 1,000 drivers, followed by Sacramento, Calif. (1.31), and Los Angeles (1.12). Two California cities are the only others above 1.00 in this category — San Jose (1.09) and Bakersfield (1.05).
• Gen Zers are most likely to get caught driving drunk, but millennials aren’t far behind. Gen Zers in the 50 largest cities have the highest DUI rate at 0.39 per 1,000 drivers, with millennials trailing at 0.32. Baby boomers finish lowest at 0.18.
• Cadillac drivers in the 50 largest cities have the highest DUI rate. Our analysis shows they have a DUI rate of 0.56 per 1,000 drivers, making Cadillac the only car make (among the 30 analyzed) above 0.35. The next highest are Buick (0.34) and Ford (0.30). The makes with the lowest DUI rates are Subaru (0.13), Mercury (0.14) and Acura (0.14).
• Drivers in the largest U.S. cities see their annual auto insurance rates increase by an average of $1,876.90 with a DUI — more than $150 a month. Among the largest cities, Detroit has the highest increase by far, with rates rising an average of $7,634.20 annually after a DUI. It’s followed by Charlotte, N.C. ($4,832.51), and Los Angeles ($4,730.16). Raleigh is the only other city above $4,000, with an average annual increase of $4,097.83.
• The six cities with the highest percentage of fatal crashes involving a drunken driver are in Texas. 49.3% of deadly crashes in 2022 in El Paso involved a drunken driver, followed by San Antonio (47.9%), Austin (47.8%), Arlington (46.2%), Dallas (44.3%) and Fort Worth (43.9%). Houston also joins the top 10 at eighth, with 42.6%.

North Carolina, California cities have 10 highest DUI rates

Among the 50 largest U.S. cities, each in the top 10 for highest DUI rates is in North Carolina or California. Raleigh, N.C., takes first with 1.46 DUIs per 1,000 drivers, followed by Sacramento, Calif. (1.31), and Los Angeles (1.12). (For context, the average DUI rate among the 50 largest cities is 0.34 per 1,000 drivers.)

While the causes can be difficult to determine, LendingTree auto insurance expert and licensed insurance agent Rob Bhatt wonders if the relatively mild climates in both states may be part of the picture. “In warmer areas, there may be a greater temptation to imbibe away from your home than in areas with cooler or more severe climates,” he says.

It could also be that law enforcement officials in these states keep a closer eye on impaired drivers — or more readily report them. According to Raleigh-based WRAL, the Tar Heel State has seen an increase in drivers under the influence of drugs as opposed to alcohol, though legal limits have more gray areas.

Cities with the highest DUI rates per 1,000 drivers

Source: LendingTree analysis of QuoteWizard by LendingTree insurance quote data from July 9, 2023, through July 9, 2024. Note: Our analysis includes the 50 largest U.S. cities.

Conversely, the cities with the lowest DUI rates are Detroit — with only 0.02 per 1,000 drivers — Washington, D.C. (0.04), and Oklahoma City (0.05). While causes are difficult to ascertain, each city is at least occasionally subject to intense winter weather, which may support Bhatt’s point.

Cities with the lowest DUI rates per 1,000 drivers

Source: LendingTree analysis of QuoteWizard by LendingTree insurance quote data from July 9, 2023, through July 9, 2024. Note: Our analysis includes the 50 largest U.S. cities.

Full rankings

Cities with the highest/lowest DUI rates per 1,000 drivers

Source: LendingTree analysis of QuoteWizard by LendingTree insurance quote data from July 9, 2023, through July 9, 2024. Note: Our analysis includes the 50 largest U.S. cities.

Gen Zers most likely to get caught driving drunk, but millennials not far behind

We next turn to the individuals behind the wheel by their age group. Generationally, Gen Z drivers ages 18 to 26 across the 50 largest cities are the likeliest to receive DUIs (0.39 per 1,000 drivers), but millennials ages 27 to 42 are close, at 0.32.

This data “seems consistent with the tendency for younger drivers to be bigger risk-takers than older drivers,” Bhatt says. “Today’s boomers are the Gen Z drivers of yesteryear.” Unfortunately, though, those risky behaviors sometimes include impaired driving, speeding, aggressive driving and texting while driving.

As far as the silent generation’s uptick, they’re a relatively small (though, according to our research, growing) segment of the driving population, so the sample size may slightly skew the result, Bhatt says.

DUI rates per 1,000 drivers in 50 largest cities (by generation)

Source: LendingTree analysis of QuoteWizard by LendingTree insurance quote data from July 9, 2023, through July 9, 2024. Note: Our analysis includes the 50 largest U.S. cities.

Bhatt is also careful to point out that “alcohol addiction is a disease. Younger people may be less able or willing to recognize they’re suffering from this disease — and get help — than people in their 30s or older.”

This, too, he says, may contribute to the higher DUI rates among younger drivers.

Cadillac drivers have highest DUI rates

We also analyzed DUI rates by vehicle make, with some intriguing findings. Cadillac drivers have the highest DUI rate by far at 0.56 per 1,000 drivers, followed by those driving Buicks (0.34) and Fords (0.30). (Also noteworthy: Climate-conscious though they may be, Tesla drivers still land in the top 10, with 0.24 DUIs per 1,000 drivers.)

While it’s difficult to parse the causes behind these trends, it’s interesting that the highest make on the list is considered a luxury brand. Some might wonder if wealthier drivers sometimes feel more entitled to break, or at least bend, the law.

Vehicle makes with most DUIs per 1,000 drivers in 50 largest cities

Source: LendingTree analysis of QuoteWizard by LendingTree insurance quote data from July 9, 2023, through July 9, 2024. Notes: Our analysis includes the 50 largest U.S. cities. The 30 makes with the highest number of quotes were included.

At the other end of the spectrum, Subaru drivers saw the lowest DUI rate at 0.13 per 1,000. Mercury and Acura tie for second-lowest with a DUI rate of 0.14.

Vehicle makes with fewest DUIs per 1,000 drivers in 50 largest cities

Source: LendingTree analysis of QuoteWizard by LendingTree insurance quote data from July 9, 2023, through July 9, 2024. Notes: Our analysis includes the 50 largest U.S. cities. The 30 makes with the highest number of quotes were included.

Full rankings

DUIs per 1,000 drivers in 50 largest cities (by vehicle make)

Source: LendingTree analysis of QuoteWizard by LendingTree insurance quote data from July 9, 2023, through July 9, 2024. Notes: Our analysis includes the 50 largest U.S. cities. The 30 makes with the highest number of quotes were included.

Drivers in largest U.S. cities see annual auto insurance rates increase by average of $1,877 with DUI

DUIs aren’t just dangerous physically; they can be costly financially, too. Getting a DUI can spike your annual auto insurance premiums substantially, often more than doubling what you’ll pay to stay covered. On average across the 50 largest U.S. cities, the total annual increase in auto insurance premiums with a DUI is $1,876.90.

However, nine of the 12 cities with the largest increase in annual insurance premiums after a driver receives a DUI are in California — perhaps in part as a response to the state’s relatively high rate of impaired driving. (Along with Detroit, the remaining two cities in the top 12 are in — you guessed it — North Carolina.)

But that might not be the whole picture. As Bhatt points out, the California insurance market is in distress. As climate change has increased losses — and costs — for insurers, many of them have increased their prices (or stopped writing policies in the most vulnerable areas).

“We’re seeing the biggest strains on homeowners insurance,” Bhatt adds, “but auto insurance claims and costs have also risen. Insurance companies are responding by raising rates where they can.”

Biggest difference in annual auto insurance premiums with a DUI (by city)

Source: LendingTree analysis of Quadrant Information Services auto insurance rate data.

Conversely, some cities have a (relatively) small increase in annual insurance premiums after a DUI.

While jacked-up insurance premiums can wreak financial havoc, they’re far from the only collateral damage to drunken driving. “More than 10,000 people die each year in car crashes involving impaired drivers,” Bhatt points out — devastating deaths that are largely preventable. “If you lose a loved one in a car accident of any type, one traffic fatality is too many.”

Financially, insurance increases are far from the only monetary consequence of getting caught driving drunk. “You usually have to hire an attorney and pay fines and fees to get your car out of the impound yard and reinstate your driver’s license,” Bhatt says. At the end of the day, the charges can quickly surpass $10,000 or more — and that’s before you factor in your car insurance increase for at least the next three years running.

Difference in annual auto insurance premiums with a DUI (by city)

Source: LendingTree analysis of Quadrant Information Services auto insurance rate data.

6 cities with highest percentage of fatal crashes involving drunken driver in Texas

Speaking of the human cost of drunken driving, our analysis shows that the six cities with the highest percentage of fatal crashes involving an impaired driver with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08% or higher are in Texas.

The three other Texas cities at the top are part of the same metro: Arlington, Dallas and Fort Worth. While there’s no way to say for sure why the Lone Star State is experiencing this sad problem, the sheer size of it — and how much driving is needed to get from one city to another — may have an influence.

At the bottom is Colorado Springs, Colo., where only 22.0% of fatal crashes involve an impaired driver. Tampa, Fla., is second-lowest at 23.4%, followed by Oklahoma City at 24.4%.

Full rankings

% of fatal crashes involving drunken driver (by city)

Source: LendingTree analysis of National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) data.

4 ways to manage your auto insurance premiums

Cheap auto insurance isn’t always the best auto insurance, but finding good value for your money is possible — and financially savvy. Here are four expert tips to help keep your auto insurance premiums affordable:

• Don’t go too low. While affordability is important, so is having enough coverage. Don’t skimp where you don’t need to. “The extra $10 or $20 you pay each month for an optional coverage or higher limit may seem like nothing if you ever need it,” Bhatt says.
• Make a regular ritual of shopping around. Insurers change their rates all the time, and each company’s rates vary by customer. Bhatt recommends shopping around every few years — or anytime you feel like you’re overcharged. “Comparing quotes is the only real way to find the company with the cheapest rate for you,” he says.
• Consider a higher deductible. Yes, you’ll pay more out of pocket in the event of a loss, but you might save enough on your monthly premiums to make up for that higher cost by the time you need it. A deductible of $1,000 or $2,000 is reasonable, Bhatt says. “You generally don’t want to file an insurance claim for repairs that cost less than a few thousand dollars to begin with.”
• Skip skimping on liability coverage. Meeting your state’s legally required minimums is just the start, Bhatt says. “We live in a litigious society, and your liability coverage protects you from lawsuits, attorney fees and court costs that may arise after an accident.” For that reason, he suggests your liability coverage should match your net worth — at a minimum. “This allows you to protect your savings, investment accounts and other assets.”

Methodology

Researchers analyzed tens of millions of QuoteWizard by LendingTree insurance quotes from July 9, 2023, through July 9, 2024.

Researchers calculated the number of DUIs per 1,000 drivers in the 50 largest (by population) U.S. cities. We followed the same process across the same cities to determine the:

• Drunkest drivers by generation
• Drunkest drivers by vehicle make

To define generations, LendingTree analysts used the following ranges from the Pew Research Center:

• Generation Z (born between 1997 and 2005; ages 18 to 26 in 2023 — only adults)
• Millennial (born between 1981 and 1996; ages 27 to 42 in 2023)
• Generation X (born between 1965 and 1980; ages 43 to 58 in 2023)
• Baby boomer (born between 1946 and 1964; ages 59 to 77 in 2023)
• Silent generation (born between 1928 and 1945; ages 78 to 95 in 2023)

The 30 makes with the highest number of quotes were included.

Additionally, LendingTree researchers gathered quotes for a 2015 Honda Civic EX driven by a man who is 30 with a good credit score, both with and without a DUI. This portion of the study shows the average annual cost of a full-coverage insurance policy in the same cities as above.

The analysis used insurance rate data from Quadrant Information Services. These rates were publicly sourced from insurer filings and should be used for comparative purposes only, as your quotes may be different. Full-coverage policies include coverage limits above minimum requirements.

Full-coverage policy

Finally, LendingTree researchers analyzed National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) data using the Fatality and Injury Reporting System Tool (FIRST).

Researchers analyzed fatal crash data in each of the 50 largest U.S. cities. The percentage of deadly crashes involving a drunken driver was calculated for 2021 and 2022. Someone with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08% or higher was considered a drunken driver.