Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) ranks Illinois among the top states in the nation for comprehensive drunk driving laws, according to the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority. However, Illinois still reports thousands of drunk driving crashes and hundreds of DUI-related fatalities every year. Here is what you need to know about these shocking DUI statistics and what you can do to recover if you get hurt in a DUI collision.
Illinois Drunk Driving Laws
Illinois law defines driving under the influence (DUI) as operating a vehicle while impaired by alcohol or other substances. This includes having a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08 or more or being under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or both, to the extent that safe driving is impossible. State law also prohibits driving with any amount of an illegal drug in the body.
A DUI arrest often occurs after a law enforcement officer notices a driver operating a motor vehicle erratically. They may question the suspect and conduct field sobriety tests to gauge impairment. A breath, blood, or chemical test may indicate the driver is beyond the legal limit.
The penalties for DUI in Illinois are severe and increase with each offense. A first-time DUI offender can be charged with a Class A misdemeanor, which could result in significant fines and loss of driving privileges. Subsequent offenses can escalate to felony charges, leading to longer jail terms, more substantial fines, and permanent loss of driving privileges. DUI criminal charges become even more severe if a driver’s BAC is 0.16 or higher or a child under 16 is in the vehicle during the offense.
In addition to these criminal penalties, if a drunk driver causes a crash, they can face civil lawsuits from those who sustained injuries or property damage as a result. This means that the injured parties can sue DUI offenders for medical costs, repair expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering incurred because of a drunk driving accident. A DUI conviction is not necessary for injured victims to recover these damages.
How Many DUI Arrests Are There in Illinois Each Year?
Every year, thousands of people are arrested for DUI in Illinois. In one recent year, the Illinois Secretary of State’s office reported a total of 21,975 DUI arrests statewide. Of those arrested, 91 percent received a suspended or revoked license as a result. This includes 240 drivers under the age of 21 who faced suspension under the Zero Tolerance law.
The data shows a significant gender disparity in DUI arrests. Nearly two-thirds (74 percent) of those arrested were men. Male drivers between the ages of 25 and 34 had the highest rate of DUI arrests, about six per 1,000 licensed drivers.
First-time offenders account for the majority of DUI arrests in Illinois (87 percent of the total arrests). The average profile of someone arrested for a DUI offense is a 34-year-old male, typically apprehended between 11 p.m. and 4 a.m. on weekends, with a BAC of .17.
How Many People in Illinois Report Drinking and Driving?
A significant number of Illinois residents admit to drinking and driving. A recent survey reported by the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority revealed that 475 out of every 1,000 people in Illinois reported incidents of alcohol-impaired driving. This self-reported rate is much higher than the rate of DUI arrests, which is only 3.44 per 1,000 population. This suggests that many instances of impaired driving go undetected by law enforcement.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that the national average of drunk driving is 505 episodes per 1,000 residents. Illinois’ drunk driving rate is lower than the national average and most other Midwestern states. These differences highlight how local factors like fuel costs and public transportation options can influence driving behaviors. Additionally, it is worth noting that these figures include reports of driving under the influence of substances other than alcohol, meaning not all impaired persons are necessarily drunk.
How Many Drunk Driving Crashes Occur Each Year in Chicago?
Drunk driving is a serious issue in Chicago, across Illinois, and throughout the United States.
In Chicago alone, there were 738 reported crashes involving alcohol-impaired drivers in one recent year, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation. These incidents resulted in eleven fatalities and hundreds of injuries. That year, there were also 77 crashes involving drug-impaired drivers, 67 crashes involving drug- and alcohol-impaired drivers, and 118 crashes involving drivers who “had been drinking” throughout Chicago.
Statewide, Illinois reported 1,147 fatal crashes the same year, 21 percent of which involved alcohol. Of the 793 motor vehicle fatalities in Illinois that year, 553 were tested for impairment. Of those tested, 37.9 percent had a BAC of at least 0.01.
Holiday drunk driving statistics indicate that the incidence of fatal crashes involving alcohol increases around certain holidays in Illinois. For example, 50 percent of the fourteen fatal crashes that occurred on Memorial Day in one recent year were alcohol-related.
Looking at the broader picture, the United States lost more than 13,524 people to fatal alcohol-related crashes the same year, accounting for 32 percent of all traffic fatalities nationally, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. On average, nationwide drunk driving statistics indicate one person was killed in a drunk driving crash every 39 minutes.
The Financial Toll of a Drunk Driving Crash
The financial impact of a drunk driving crash can be devastating. Many victims incur extensive medical bills for emergency treatment, ongoing care, and rehabilitation. These healthcare costs can quickly accumulate into tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Additionally, if the injury prevents a victim from working, they can lose income during recovery.
Property damage costs are also a common burden in DUI crash cases, requiring significant sums for car repairs or replacement.
Beyond these direct costs, victims often incur expenses for psychological counseling and other support necessary to recover from the trauma of the crash.
Drunk driving crash victims can work with personal injury lawyers to file insurance claims or lawsuits to seek compensation for their losses.
How a Drunk Driving Crash Lawyer Can Help
If you have been involved in a drunk driving crash, working with a knowledgeable drunk driving collision lawyer is essential. Under the Illinois Liquor Control Act, you could be entitled to compensation from any business that served alcohol to the impaired driver in addition to the driver. A skilled lawyer can prepare and pursue all possible claims to maximize your payout and secure the money you need for your recovery.
At Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C., our experienced team understands the complexities of drunk-driving cases. We have successfully recovered more than $2.5 billion for our clients, including more than 350 verdicts and settlements of $1 million or more. Our team of over twenty top litigators, backed by more than 35 dedicated support staff, has the resources and experience necessary to aggressively pursue maximum compensation for your losses.
We offer free consultations to discuss your case and determine the ideal course of action. Contact Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. today to learn how we can help you move forward.
