[ STUDY ] The 10 Florida Counties with the Highest Drunk Driving Fatality Rates

Putnam County tops the list with a devastating 21 drunk driving deaths per 100,000 people annually, down slightly from our 2020 data of 24 deaths per 100,000.

In the United States, drunk driving is a deadly scourge. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, drunk driving claims a life every 48 minutes.

As personal injury attorneys we regularly bear witness to the tragic aftermath of drunk driving. Many of our clients are those who are left behind to pick up the pieces after someone’s decision to drive drunk ends in destruction, injury, and death.

Despite the efforts of legislators, educators, law enforcement, and countless advocacy groups, the problem of drunk driving persists in Florida, with some regions of the state being particularly, tragically, afflicted.

Given their size it’s easy to understand why some large Florida cities – Miami, Tampa, Orlando, etc. – would experience the most total drunk driving crashes and fatalities. However, if you look at the numbers on a per-capita basis the results are surprising. If you or a loved one was injured in a drunk driving accident, be sure to call our drunk driving accident lawyers for a free consultation.

For complete details on the methodology used to come up with these rankings, click here.

The 10 Florida Counties with the Highest Drunk Driving Fatality Rates

County	Fatality Rate (per 100k)	Fatalities Involving Drunk Driver (2023)	Population
Putnam County, FL	21.41	16	73,321
Flagler County, FL	12.62	16	115,378
Columbia County, FL	11.12	8	69,698
Marion County, FL	10.34	46	375,908
Duval County, FL	10.17	65	995,567
Nassau County, FL	9.19	9	90,352
Citrus County, FL	7.38	12	153,843
Clay County, FL	7.31	17	218,245
Polk County, FL	6.11	48	725,046
Alachua County, FL	5.63	16	278,468

“Fatality Rate (per 100k)” column is based on 2016-2020 data. See “Methodology” section below for details.

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#1 Putnam County

Drunk driving deaths per 100k: 21.41

Putnam County has a modest population of 74,731 residents and is between Jacksonville, Gainesville, St. Augustine, and Daytona Beach. Its location might explain why it tops the list with a drunk driving death rate of 21.41 people per 100,000 people.

#2 Flagler County

Drunk driving deaths per 100k: 12.62

Second on our list is almost half of Putnam County. Flagler County has a population of 126,705, and its largest city is Palm Coast. This county witnessed 16 drunk driving deaths in 2023, with a rate of just over 12.5 deaths per 100,000 people.

#3 Columbia County

Drunk driving deaths per 100k: 11.12

Columbia County has even fewer residents than Flagler County, with an estimated population of just over 71,908 people and a much lower rate of drunk driving deaths than Putnam County. Its rate of drunk driving fatalities in 2023 was about 11 fatalities per 100,000 people, putting it in third place on our list.

#4 Marion County

Drunk driving deaths per 100k: 10.34

Marion County is our first highly populated county on the list, with 396,415 people, and a more robust public bus system. However, despite the significant amount of public transportation available, there were 41 drunk driving deaths in Marion County in 2023, which is only a slight decrease from 42 deaths the year before.

#5 Duval County

Drunk driving deaths per 100k: 10.17

Duval County has over 1.017 million people, making it the most populous county on our list. It encompasses Jacksonville, Jacksonville Beach, Atlantic Beach, and Neptune Beach and sees more drunk driving deaths each year than these other nine counties. In fact, Duval County witnessed 66 drunk driving deaths in 2023. However, despite this total, the overall rate is lower than other counties on this list, with about 10 deaths per 100,000 people, making it #5 on our list of most dangerous counties for drunk driving fatalities.

#6 Nassau County

Drunk driving deaths per 100k: 9.19

Nassau County is the most northeastern county in Florida, close to Jacksonville and several military bases. With a population of 97,899, its drunk driving fatality rate, based on statistics from 2023, comes out to just over 9 deaths per 100,000 people.

#7 Citrus County

Drunk driving deaths per 100k: 7.38

Citrus is a mid-sized county with a population of just over 162,529 people. Its largest community is Homosassa Springs, despite being an unincorporated area. Citrus County sees just over 7 drunk driving deaths per 100,000 people.

#8 Clay County

Drunk driving deaths per 100k: 7.31

Clay County borders Jacksonville and is home to places like Orange Park and Green Cove Springs. With a population of 232,439 people, Clay County is number 8 on our list due to there being an average of around 7 deaths per 100k people in 2023 with a total of 17 drunk driving-related deaths that year.

#9 Polk County

Drunk driving deaths per 100k: 6.11

Polk County has a higher population than most other counties on this list, with 818,330 residents. In 2023, this county witnessed 50 drunk driving deaths, which ranks second on this list. This high number of drunk driving-related deaths means that Polk County is #9 on our list, with a rate of 6.11 deaths per 100k people.

#10 Alachua County

Drunk driving deaths per 100k: 5.63

Alachua County also has a larger population and is home to Gainesville and the University of Florida. It saw a high of 47 drunk driving deaths in 2019, but the five-year average is 28.6 deaths annually. It rounds out the top 10 DUI fatality rates of a little under 6.

Drunk Driving Statistics

Unfortunately, drunk driving continues to have a significant and devastating impact on drivers traveling along Florida’s roads. Many drivers have chosen to get behind the wheel of a vehicle after too many drinks, which has resulted in numerous accidents and tragic deaths that could be entirely preventable. To underscore the severity of this issue, we’d like to provide some Florida drunk driving statistics to further drive home the severe consequences of these accidents, as well as how commonly they occur across the state.

If you or a loved one was injured in a drunk driving accident, be sure to call our drunk driving accident lawyers for a free consultation.

2023 Florida Drunk Driving Statistics You Need To Know About

It is important to be aware of Florida’s drunk driving statistics to understand the magnitude of the problem and its impact on public safety, as well as people’s lives. Drunk driving doesn’t just affect injured victims, it also affects their families, friends, and their ability to live a normal happy life. These statistics provide insights into the number of lives lost, injuries sustained, and legal repercussions faced due to impaired driving, which further emphasizes the need for proactive measures such as education, enforcement, and community awareness campaigns to reduce drunk driving accidents and promote responsible driving behavior. You can view our updated study on the highest DUI rates by Florida county.

In 2023, Florida witnessed significant consequences related to drunk driving, as reported by the Florida Traffic Safety Dashboard. These statistics fall under the impaired driving category, including those being impaired by alcohol. These statistics state that:

• 822 drunk driving fatalities occurred statewide.
• 1,252 serious injuries were reported due to drunk driving related accidents. According to Florida law, a serious injury is considered to be:
  • Severe disfigurement
  • Loss of limb or dismemberment
  • Bone fracture
  • Miscarriage or loss of a fetus
  • Permanent inability to use a bodily organ, limb, function, or system
  • Long-lasting impairment of a bodily organ or limb
  • Significant restriction in bodily function or system use
  • Temporary injury preventing normal daily activities for at least 90 days within 180 days post-accident

According to the Annual Uniform Traffic Citation Report from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles:

• There were a total of 44,185 DUI violations/arrests recorded across the state in 2023.
• Of those violations, 20,608 resulted in DUI convictions, while 4,581 cases saw DUI charges that were reduced to lesser offenses.

These statistics highlight the alarming impact of drunk driving in Florida, which proves the urgent need for continued efforts in education, enforcement, and prevention to mitigate further tragedies on our roads.

Florida Drunk Driving Statistics Compared To Other States

According to the NHTSA, alcohol-impaired driving traffic fatalities in Florida were similar to other states, and consequently some of the highest in the US. In 2022, the highest number of drunk driving fatalities were in Texas with an astounding 1,869 drunk driving deaths, followed by California with 1,479 drunk driving deaths, and Florida came in third with 940 drunk driving deaths. The lowest number recorded was in the District of Columbia, with 12 drunk driving deaths in 2022.

While Florida ranked in the top three for the number of alcohol-related driving deaths, the percentage of alcohol-impaired driving fatalities compared to total traffic fatalities was lower than the national average. In Florida, 27% of traffic fatalities were caused by drunk driving, compared to the national average of 32%. South Carolina had the highest percentage at 43%, with Texas close behind at 42%, meaning that while there were a high number of fatalities in Florida related to drunk driving, 73% of traffic fatalities in Florida were caused by various other factors.

These comparisons highlight Florida’s critical position in terms of sheer numbers, while also highlighting a slightly better relative performance in terms of the proportion of alcohol-related fatalities. However, the only way to completely prevent drunk driving fatalities is for every driver to make the right choice and refrain from driving while under the influence of alcohol.

Consequences of Drunk Driving In Florida

Drunk driving in Florida has severe and far-reaching consequences that extend beyond just the victims. They often result in both tragic deaths and debilitating injuries. In 2023, the state reported 822 fatalities due to impaired driving, highlighting the grave danger that drunk drivers put everyone else on the road around them. These deaths represent not only the loss of individual lives, but also the profound grief and suffering experienced by families, friends, and local communities. The ripple effect of each drunk driving fatality extends beyond the immediate loss, impacting loved ones for the rest of their lives and straining emergency and healthcare services.​​

In addition to the fatalities, drunk driving in Florida also led to 1,252 individuals sustaining serious injuries in 2023. These injuries often include life-altering conditions such as significant disfigurement, permanent disabilities, and chronic pain, which can affect victims for the rest of their lives, prevent them from returning to their daily activities, and reduce their quality of life. These injuries can also affect families and their dynamics as they may be required to take care of their injured family members, which can include lifelong care commitments. Victims and their families may face long-term medical treatment, rehabilitation, and financial burdens due to lost income and medical bills. Not to mention, the physical and emotional scars left by these accidents can last a lifetime, highlighting the need for ongoing education, strict enforcement of DUI laws, and community efforts to prevent drunk driving.

How much compensation you get if you are a drunk driving accident victim in Florida varies based on the unique circumstances of each situation and the severity of your injuries. Based on our own settlement data, the average drunk driving settlement in Florida is anywhere from $200,000 to $250,000.

Injured By A Drunk Driver? Contact A Florida Car Accident Lawyer Near You

If you or a loved one was injured in a drunk driving accident, be sure to call our Florida drunk driving accident attorneys for a free consultation.

If you or a loved one has been injured, or a family member wrongfully killed by a drunk driver in Florida, it is important to take action not only to hold them accountable but to pursue financial compensation for your injuries including any pain and suffering they’ve inflicted. At Abrahamson & Uiterwyk, we stand firmly against this type of reckless behavior and are committed to holding drunk drivers accountable for their disregard for the law and the devastation they may cause to individuals on Florida’s roadways. Our dedicated team is always here to support you through this difficult time. Contact a Florida car accident lawyer at Abrahamson & Uiterwyk today for a free initial case consultation. We are determined to diligently seek justice for you and ensure that drunk drivers who are responsible for these preventable tragedies are held accountable.

Methodology

• Using FDOT’s Traffic Safety Dashboard we obtained county-level Florida crash data for all Impaired Driving crashes over five years, from 2016 to 2020.
• We narrowed the list of counties down to only those with a population of over 50,000 (41 counties).
• We calculated the average number of drunk driving fatalities per year, per county over the five year span.
• To determine the number of drunk driving fatalities per year, per 100k people we used the following formula:
  Average annual drunk driving fatalities ÷ (total population ÷ 100,000) = Drunk driving fatalities per 100k