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Where does Connecticut rank in alcohol-related traffic deaths?

As you prepare for the holiday season, you should be aware of the risk of an accident with a drunk driver. Nationwide, alcohol is a factor in approximately 33% of all traffic fatalities. According to CT Insider, the drunk driving fatality percentage for Connecticut is not only higher than the national percentage, but it was also higher than every other state in the country.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data collected in 2017 indicates that 43% of all the traffic fatalities in Connecticut involve drunk driving. This is 10 percentage points higher than the national average. However, it may be a small comfort for you to know that, although Connecticut outranks every other state for drunk driving deaths, the District of Columbia reports an even higher percentage of 51%.

How does Connecticut compare with other states in the region?

According to the study, New Jersey was one of the safest states in the region for drunk driving, while Rhode Island ranks second to Connecticut with a percentage of 41% of traffic fatalities related to drunk driving.

When comparing the rate of drunk driving deaths per 100,000 people, Rhode Island’s 3.2 was slightly lower than Connecticut’s 3.4. However, New Jersey’s and Massachusetts’ rates were each significantly lower at 1.4 and 1.8, respectively.

When are drunk driving deaths most likely to occur?

Due to the prevalence of alcohol consumption at many celebrations and the increased volume of travelers on the road, drunk driving accidents occur more often during holidays, typically at night rather than during the day. Authorities may respond to the increased risk by sending out more patrols during these festive periods.

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