Alcohol-Impaired Driving Fatalities by Age: 2020 NHTSA Data

Per NHTSA 2020 data, drivers aged **21–24** had the highest percentage (27%) of alcohol-impaired driving fatalities (BAC ≥0.08 g/dL).

Age Distribution (2020)

• 21–24: 27%
• 25–34: 25%
• 35–44: 20%
• 45–54: 14%
• 55–64: 9%
• 16–20: 15% (despite zero-tolerance laws)
• 65+: 6%

Key Context

• 11,654 alcohol-impaired driving fatalities in 2020 (30% of all traffic deaths).
• Highest BAC levels in 21–24 group (median 0.16%).
• Male:female ratio ~4:1.
• Weekend nights (12am–3am) peak.

Prevention Strategies

• High-visibility enforcement (sobriety checkpoints).
• Ignition interlocks (all-offender laws expanding).
• Rideshare/taxi access, public transit.
• Minimum legal drinking age 21 enforcement.
• Server training (responsible beverage service).