PA DUI statistics

Pennsylvania's alcohol-related fatalities were highest in 1982, with 1,048, dropped for a few years and then increased to nearly the same level in both 1986 and 1987. The percentage of traffic fatalities that were alcohol related was also highest in 1982, with 58%, and steadily dropped, reaching its lowest level in 2006, with 37%. In the most recent year reported, out of all traffic fatalities, 32% involved a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 or higher, down from 52% in 1982.

Year Fatalities Tot Alc-Rel % 0.08+ %
1982 1,819 1,048 58 942 52
1983 1,721 980 57 898 52
1984 1,727 934 54 840 49
1985 1,771 961 54 857 48
1986 1,894 1,042 55 923 49
1987 1,987 1,042 52 939 47
1988 1,931 935 48 844 44
1989 1,877 981 52 882 47
1990 1,646 846 51 752 46
1991 1,661 807 49 720 43
1992 1,545 729 47 644 42
1993 1,529 700 46 628 41
1994 1,441 612 42 541 38
1995 1,480 619 42 546 37
1996 1,469 588 40 532 36
1997 1,557 626 40 562 36
1998 1,481 642 43 573 39
1999 1,549 618 40 538 35
2000 1,520 647 43 582 38
2001 1,532 646 42 566 37
2002 1,614 649 40 556 34
2003 1,577 618 39 542 34
2004 1,490 614 41 541 36
2005 1,616 636 39 559 35
2006 1,517 556 37 487 32

The table above shows the total number of traffic fatalities (Tot) for the Pennsylvania, alcohol related fatalities (Alc-Rel) and fatalities in crashes where the highest BAC in the crash was 0.08 or above (0.08+).
It is important to note that the Pennsylvania drunk driving statistics, as shown above, include data from individuals who were in an alcohol-related crash, but not driving a motor vehicle at the time. The U.S. Department of Transportation defines alcohol-related deaths as "fatalities that occur in crashes where at least one driver or non-occupant (pedestrian or bicyclist) involved in the crash has a positive Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) value."

The fatality rates shown above refer to the number of people killed in all traffic accidents and, separately, in alcohol related traffic accidents, per 100 million vehicle miles traveled.

All 50 states in the US now apply two statutory offenses to driving under the influence of alcohol. The first (and original) offense is known either as driving under the influence (DUI), driving while intoxicated/impaired (DWI), or operating [a motor vehicle] while intoxicated/impaired (OWI). This is based upon a police officer's observations (driving behavior, slurred speech, the results of a roadside sobriety test, etc.)
The second offense is called "illegal per se", which is driving with a BAC of 0.08% or higher. Since 2002 it has been illegal in all 50 states to drive with a BAC that is 0.08% or higher.

Criminal status of DUI laws in Pennsylvania
In Pennsylvania, 1st or 2nd offenses are 2nd degree misdemeanors, 3rd or subsequent offenses are 1st degree misdemeanors. Citation:18 § 1104(1) & (2) & 75 §3731(e)(1) (2)
Sources for Pennsylvania drunk driving information and statistics
US Dept. of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 12/02(2) National Conference of State Legislatures, 2004