TEXAS — Texas has the fourth highest drunk driving death rate in the country. BuyAutoInsurance.com came up with the numbers based on drunk driving-related deaths per 100,000 residents in the past three years.
During the study period, Texas saw 5,129 drunk driving traffic deaths and 7.76 drunk driving deaths per 100,000 residents.
BuyAutoInsurance.com lays out some of the consequences of driving drunk in Texas:
A first offense DWI in Texas carries a maximum fine of $2,000 and a jail sentence of up to 180 days. For travelers, it’s important to know that Houston is one of the worst cities for drunk driving in the country. If you’re traveling through there, be aware.
DWIs can have a major impact on the type of car insurance you can purchase. In many situations, auto insurance companies will drop you after a DWI, forcing you to receive car insurance in the secondary market. The key term in this situation is SR-22 insurance after a suspended license. You’ll be labeled a high-risk driver, which will cause your insurance rates to rise.
Our study found that the deadliest state for drunk #driving is #Mississippi, with 543 alcohol-related traffic deaths during our study period. The worst regions for drunk driving were found to be the South and the West. Find out more here! ➡️https://t.co/MAeOqYAHeq #DrunkDriving🚨 pic.twitter.com/iwLaRXjH0A
— BuyAutoInsurance.com (@BuyAutoInsure) July 19, 2021
The website also found that drunk driving deaths dropped 4.3% nationally in the past three years. Texas is actually seeing a decline in the number of drunk driving traffic deaths, but not more than the national decline.
Overall, the site found that the South and West were the worst regions for drunk driving. Mississippi is named as the worst state for drunk driving with 8.77 drunk driving deaths per 100,000 residents.