Indiana DUI Statistics and Rates

According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), one person in the United States dies every 52 minutes in a drunk-driving crash and drunk-driving accidents claim more than 10,000 lives per year.

Through dedicated efforts, rates of alcohol-impaired driving and alcohol-impaired fatal crashes in the U.S. have gone down since the 1980s. Still, millions of alcohol-impaired drivers get behind the wheel each year.

Here are some key statistics shedding light on the driving-under-the-influence (DUI) situation in the state of Indiana. 

Key Takeaways:

• According to the Centre for Disease Control, 2068 people were killed in crashes involving an alcohol-impaired driver in Indiana between 2009 and 2018. 

• In 2020, there were 124 people killed in alcohol‐impaired collisions, representing 14% of Indiana traffic fatalities.

• Drivers made up 72% of all fatalities in Indiana alcohol‐impaired collisions.

• Men accounted for 77% of all drivers in Indiana fatal crashes, 16% of which were reported to be legally impaired.

• Alcohol impairment in collisions was highest among male drivers aged 21–24 and 25–34 years.

• Approximately 34% of pickup truck and 25% of passenger car drivers in Indiana fatal collisions were alcohol‐impaired.

• Among drivers killed in fatal collisions with reported drug and alcohol test results, 40% were alcohol‐impaired and 50% tested positive for one or more drugs.

• Consistent with collision rates involving other types of risky driving behaviors, rates of alcohol‐impaired crashes were highest during weekend overnight hours. At these times, crash-related fatality and incapacitating injury rates peaked.

General Indiana DUI Statistics

Here are some general Indiana DUI statistics:

• From 2016 to 2020, the number of all types of fatal crashes in Indiana increased by 1% annually. Comparatively, the number of alcohol-impaired collisions declined by 6%, while fatal alcohol-impaired collisions rose by 2% annually. 

• The percentage of fatal crashes linked to alcohol impairment was disproportionately high from 2016-2020, averaging at 13%. 

• In 2020, there were 106 fatal drunk-driving collisions in Indiana, claiming 124 lives. 

• In 2020, alcohol-impaired crashes represented 13% of all fatal collisions and 4% of all crashes with non-fatal injuries.

Alcohol and Drug Testing Rates in Indiana Crashes

Indiana law requires police officers to offer a chemical or breath test to anyone believed to be driving a vehicle involved in a collision resulting in a fatality or serious bodily injury. Here are some alcohol and drug testing statistics in Indiana:

• In 2020, approximately 60% of all drivers involved in fatal collisions were tested for alcohol and/or drugs. 

• Rates of driver alcohol impairment vary by the severity of driver injuries. From 2016 to 2020, test rates varied by whether the driver survived the crash. Surviving drivers were tested more than those who suffered a fatal injury—around 70% of surviving drivers were tested compared to 50% of those who died. 

• The drivers who survived alcohol-impaired collisions had far lower impairment rates (12%) than drivers who were killed (40%). 

• Rates of positive drug test results were higher than alcohol impairment for both drivers who survived and those who got killed. 

• In 2020, among drivers killed in fatal collisions (who had reported drug test results), 50% tested positive for one or more drugs. 

• Among drivers killed in collisions over five years, nearly 20% tested positive for both alcohol impairment and drugs.

Alcohol-Impaired Fatalities in Indiana by Person Type

Alcohol-impaired drivers are the most severely impacted in fatal car collisions.

• In 2020, drivers represented 72% of all fatalities in alcohol-impaired collisions in Indiana. 

• Among the 124 individuals killed in alcohol-impaired collisions in 2020, 89 were drivers, 25 passengers, and 10 pedestrians. 

Alcohol Impairment by Driver Gender and Age in Indiana

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, male drivers are consistently more likely to engage in risky driving behaviors than female drivers, including impaired driving. Here are some numbers:

• In 2020, 77% of all drivers in fatal collisions were male, compared to 23% females. 

• Reported rates of alcohol impairment among drivers in fatal crashes with blood alcohol level (BAC) results were relatively similar among both genders—16% males were alcohol-impaired, compared to 11% females. 

• Men reflect a greater risk of being legally impaired in collisions than women. In each of the five years from 2016 to 2020, men were three to four times more likely to be impaired than females in all collisions. 

• The group most at risk of alcohol impairment in collisions was 21 to 24 years and 25 to 34 years. 

• Here is how deaths in alcohol-impaired crashes vary with age:

Alcohol-Impaired Driving and Time of the Day in Indiana

Certain times and days in the week see a higher number of DUI collisions. Generally, the highest rates of alcohol-impaired crashes are seen on weekends, particularly in the later hours of the night. 

• In 2020, the highest percentage of hourly fatal and incapacitating injuries happened most often between the hours of midnight and 4 a.m. 

• The highest hourly rates of alcohol‐impaired crashes resulting in fatal and incapacitating injuries were on Saturdays and Sundays between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m. 

Types of Vehicles in Alcohol-Impaired Collisions in Indiana

Rates of driver alcohol impairment vary based on vehicle type. Here are some important numbers to know:

• In 2020, pickup truck and passenger car drivers had the highest rate of alcohol-impaired driving. 34% of alcohol-impaired drivers were in pickup trucks, and 25% in passenger cars. 

• The relative risk of fatal injury was higher for pickup trucks and SUVs when the crash involved one or more drivers who were legally impaired. 

• In 2020, people in pickup trucks were nearly 14 times more likely to die when the crash involved an alcohol‐impaired driver. SUV occupants involved in alcohol‐impaired crashes were nearly 11 times more likely to be killed than occupants in non‐impaired crashes. 

Is Driving Under the Influence a Felony in Indiana?

Driving under the influence is considered a felony in Indiana if the accused has three or more prior convictions within the past 10 years. For a first offense, the offender is likely to face misdemeanor charges. 

What Is Considered Legally Drunk in Indiana?

In Indiana, a blood alcohol level of 0.08% is considered legally alcohol-impaired. Alcohol affects the ability to drive even under the legal limit. 

Which Age Group Has the Most Drunk Driving Accidents in Indiana?

The 21- to 24-year-old age group has the most drunk driving accidents in Indiana, according to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). 

Is Indiana a Zero-Tolerance State?

Indiana operates under a “zero tolerance” policy, which means drivers under the age of 21 have a different legal BAC limit than the standard limit of 0.08%. Minors can face charges for driving with a BAC of as little as 0.02%.

What is the Legal BAC Limit for Commercial Drivers in Indiana?

Commercial drivers in Indiana are held to stricter standards due to the potential risks associated with operating large vehicles. The legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit for commercial drivers in the state is 0.04%, which is half the limit set for non-commercial drivers. This lower threshold reflects the increased responsibility of handling heavier vehicles and the severe consequences of impaired driving in such roles. For insights on how alcohol impairment affects professional responsibilities, explore our substance use disorder statistics for lawyers and attorneys.

Further emphasizing the risks, Indiana law imposes severe penalties for commercial drivers who exceed this BAC limit, including fines, license suspension, and possible jail time. The rigorous enforcement of these laws aims to maintain high safety standards on the roads. For professionals seeking help with alcohol-related issues, our rehab for professionals offers specialized care tailored to the needs of high-responsibility jobs.

Data Sources

1. National Drunk Driving Statistics Map – Responsibility.org – Responsibility.org
2. IMPAIRED DRIVING 2020
3. Sobering Facts: Alcohol-Impaired Driving Indiana
4. The Prevalence, Consumption, and Consequences of Alcohol, Tobacco, Marijuana, Opioids, Stimulants, and Mental Health in Indiana
5. IMPAIRED DRIVING 2019 | IN.gov