California law enforcement is cracking down on drunk drivers, and the state has the numbers to prove it. Although California has a long way to go before intoxicated motorists stay off the road altogether, the state ranks best in terms of drunk driving fatalities among the country’s five largest states.

In 2010 police arrested a total of more than 195,000 drunk drivers. Of those arrested 77.6% were male, and Hispanics represented the largest ethnic group at 43.7%. The average age of a convicted DUI offender was 30 years old, however offenders ages 21 to 24 had the highest reported blood alcohol content (BAC) levels.

Alcohol impaired driving fatalities have fallen more than 27% in the last ten years, and underage drinking and driving has dropped over 52%. However, the state could still use to see some further improvement. In 2010 California experienced 1,768 traffic fatalities due to drug and alcohol impaired driving, and 24,343 injuries related to drunk driving. The vast majority of fatalities due to alcohol use involved drivers with blood alcohol content (BAC) levels of higher than .14%. The average BAC for all DUI arrests in California is .15%.

Drunk driving accidents can easily end up deadly. The accident lawyers at Estey & Bomberger encourage you to contact a local attorney if you have been injured by a drunk driver. Getting behind the wheel of a vehicle after a night of drinking not only endagers your life but the life of everyone else on the road.