Drunk drivers are involved in around 32 percent of traffic accident fatalities in the United States, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Drunk driving deaths happen about once every 39 minutes in the United States.
You may be wondering about things such as what the highest DUI rates by city are, or which state has the most DUIs.
This article will cover what the most dangerous cities are in California regarding impaired driving, and what counties in California see the most DUI arrests.
Bakersfield is the most dangerous city on our list, with a high rate of DUIs and car accident fatalities. We found that Madera County was the California county with the highest incidence of DUIs in proportion to its population.
Call our lawyers today for a free consultation if you or a loved one have been injured or killed in an auto accident involving an impaired driver. We can help you recover financial compensation from the drunk driver or their insurance company.
Most Dangerous Cities for DUI in California
While there are states with higher per capita DUI rates than California, like North Dakota and South Dakota, California sees the most total DUIs per year. Unfortunately, California also sees a lot of drunk driving fatalities every year. You may be wondering who has the most DUIs regarding California’s cities.
To determine the most dangerous cities regarding impaired drivers in California, we compiled data from the DMV’s record of DUIs across each county, Lending Tree’s data concerning DUIs in specific cities and the SWIRTS summary of annual fatalities across California.
We created a DUI danger score for each city based on its number of DUIs compared to its population and the odds of dying in a fatal car accident.
1. Bakersfield
- DUIs per 1,000 drivers: 1.05
- Car Accident Fatalities per 100K people: 12.1
- Danger Score: 9.6
Bakersfield has a rate of drivers caught with illegal blood alcohol concentration levels of 1.31 per 1,000 drivers. The city has a rate of 9.5 traffic crash fatalities per 100,000 people. We have given Bakersfield a danger score of 9.2.
The city saw 229 fatal crashes from 2018 to 2022, according to the NHTSA’s Fatality and Injury Reporting System Tool.
A recent study by Forbes found that 2.14 crashes with drunk drivers involved occurred in Bakersfield per 100,000 residents from 2017 to 2021.
According to KGET News, residents have complained about areas in the city such as Highway 99, Stockdale Highway, Ming Avenue, Gosford and Kroll.
Bakersfield Police told KGET News that they see some trends in “bad drivers,” like speeding, DUI and distracted driving.
2. Sacramento
- DUIs per 1,000 drivers: 1.31
- Car Accident Fatalities per 100K people: 9.5
- Danger Score: 9.2
Sacramento saw 1.31 DUIs per 1,000 drivers, with a rate of 9.5 car accident fatalities per 100k people. This gives Sacramento a danger score of 9.2.
Things have gotten so bad in Sacramento that in September 2024, Sacramento’s city council began a process intended to declare a state of emergency over a crisis of road safety which left a minimum of 20 people dead in accidents during the year. These fatal accidents included 13 dead cyclists or pedestrians, two scooter riders and five motorists.
The city has identified Sutterville Road while compiling a “high injury network” of city streets where many severe and fatal accidents happen.
In August, Sacramento conducted a sting operation at the intersection of 24 and J streets. This operation led to a total of 55 citations. Many of the citations were for failing to yield to undercover cops posing as pedestrians.
3. Los Angeles
- DUIs per 1,000 drivers: 1.12
- Car Accident Fatalities per 100K people: 8.79
- Danger Score: 8.9
Los Angeles saw 1.12 DUIs per 1,000 drivers, with a rate of 8.79 car accident fatalities per 100k people. This gives Los Angeles a danger score of 8.9.
One danger to drivers in Los Angeles is obviously the infamous sheer volume of traffic in the city, which is designed around passenger vehicles as opposed to public transportation.
Los Angeles drivers are also notoriously aggressive, and are prone to distracted driving.
The city also features a lot of crisscrossing freeway ramps. This can lead to drivers needing to change a lot of lanes in short periods of time, potentially leading to dangerous situations. Drivers may sideswipe other drivers by failing to check their blind spots, or may cause rear-end accidents when vehicles suddenly stop in front of them while they’re checking their blind spots.
4. Fresno
- DUIs per 1,000 drivers: 0.9
- Car Accident Fatalities per 100K people: 7.33
- Danger Score: 8.8
Fresno saw 0.9 DUIs per 1,000 drivers, with a rate of 7.33 car accident fatalities per 100k people. This gives Fresno a danger score of 8.8.
One danger Fresno presents drivers with is the Tule Fog. This thick fog often dramatically reduces visibility on Fresno’s roads to unsafe distances.
A recent Forbes study ranked Fresno as the city with the worst drivers in California.
5. Long Beach
- DUIs per 1,000 drivers: 0.69
- Car Accident Fatalities per 100K people: 8.01
- Danger Score: 8.3
Long Beach saw 0.69 DUIs per 1,000 drivers, with a rate of 8.01 car accident fatalities per 100k people. This gives Long Beach a danger score of 8.3.
Issues for drivers in Long Beach which have been reported by people on the internet include speeding, reckless driving and people and vehicles jumping out into traffic.
6. Oakland
- DUIs per 1,000 drivers: 0.61
- Car Accident Fatalities per 100K people: 6.64
- Danger Score: 8.2
Oakland saw 0.61 DUIs per 1,000 drivers, with a rate of 6.64 car accident fatalities per 100k people. This gives Oakland a danger score of 8.2.
Particularly dangerous roads in Oakland include arterial roads such as Grand Avenue, Foothill Boulevard, Broadway and International Boulevard.
The city recently installed speed cameras to try to cut down on dangerous driving in dangerous intersections throughout the city. According to city data, two people get seriously injured or killed in accidents every week in the city.
7. San Diego
- DUIs per 1,000 drivers: 0.87
- Car Accident Fatalities per 100K people: 5.91
- Danger Score: 8
San Diego saw 0.87 DUIs per 1,000 drivers, with a rate of 5.91 car accident fatalities per 100k people. This gives San Diego a danger score of 8.
The I-5 in San Diego is one of the most dangerous roads in California, according to ConsumerAffairs. 21 people died on this stretch of road in 2022, with speeding involved in seven of the deaths and drinking in two of them.
8. San Francisco
- DUIs per 1,000 drivers: 0.56
- Car Accident Fatalities per 100K people: 4.08
- Danger Score: 7.9
San Francisco saw 0.56 DUIs per 1,000 drivers, with a rate of 4.08 car accident fatalities per 100k people. This gives San Francisco a danger score of 7.9.
In 2014, the city adopted “Vision Zero,” an effort to eliminate traffic accident deaths. The goal was to reduce traffic deaths to zero by 2024.
The city has since instituted safety measures like lower speed limits, the prohibition of right turns on red lights in certain areas, and daylighting. Despite this, pedestrian deaths have only increased.
9. San Jose
- DUIs per 1,000 drivers: 1.09
- Car Accident Fatalities per 100K people: 2.78
- Danger Score: 7.6
San Jose saw 1.09 DUIs per 1,000 drivers, with a rate of 2.78 car accident fatalities per 100k people. This gives San Jose a danger score of 7.6.
Particularly dangerous roads in San Jose include CA-87, US-101 and I-280. There is a higher rate of collisions on these roads due to heavy traffic and high speeds.
Other particularly dangerous roads in San Jose include Almaden Expressway and Monterey Road. Frequent stops and complex intersections contribute to accidents on city streets such as these.
Counties With the Highest DUI Rates
To determine which counties had the highest DUI rates, we referenced DMV DUI data and compared total DUIs in proportion to the total population of each county. To ensure each county had a relevant sample size, we excluded cities with populations lower than 100,000.
1. Madera County
- DUIs in 2019: 1052Â
- DUIs in 2020: 998
- DUIs per 100K People: 603
Madera County saw 1,052 DUIs in 2019 and 998 DUIs in 2020, with a rate of 603 DUIs per 100k people. The percentage of DUIs decreased by five percent from 2019 to 2020.
One particularly dangerous road in Madera County is Avenue 12. Residents have called for changes to this road according to ABC 30.
2. Humboldt County
- DUIs in 2019: 1038
- DUIs in 2020: 726
- DUIs per 100K People: 546
Humboldt County saw 1,038 DUIs in 2019 and 726 DUIs in 2020, with a rate of 546 DUIs per 100k people. The percentage of DUIs decreased by 30 percent from 2019 to 2020.
In Humboldt County, over 40 percent of fatal accidents involved DUIs from 2017 to 2021, according to KTVU.
3. Santa Cruz County
- DUIs in 2019: 1623
- DUIs in 2020: 1288
- DUIs per 100K People: 498
Santa Cruz County saw 1,623 DUIs in 2019 and 1,288 DUIs in 2020, with a rate of 498 DUIs per 100k people. The percentage of DUIs decreased by 21 percent from 2019 to 2010.
2022 saw 238 crashes in Santa Cruz County involving alcohol, according to California Highway Patrol data. These crashes led to 9 deaths and 310 injuries. 76 of the crashes were on state highways. Pedestrians were involved in 15 of the crashes. Bicycles were involved in 24 of the crashes. Motorcycles were involved in 19 of the crashes.
4. Monterey
- DUIs in 2019: 2385
- DUIs in 2020: 2121
- DUIs per 100K People: 495
Monterey County saw 2,358 DUIs in 2019 and 2,121 DUIs in 2020, with a rate of 495 DUIs per 100k people. The percentage of DUIs decreased by 11 percent from 2019 to 2020.
2022 saw 277 crashes in Monterey County involving alcohol. These crashes led to 18 deaths and 362 injuries. 88 of the crashes were on state highways. 19 of the crashes involved pedestrians. Seven of the crashes involved bicycles. 13 of the crashes involved motorcycles.
5. Butte
- DUIs in 2019: 961
- DUIs in 2020: 988
- DUIs per 100K People: 477
Butte County saw 961 DUIs in 2019 and 988 DUIs in 2020, with a rate of 477 DUIs per 100k people. The percentage of DUIs increased by 3 percent from 2019 to 2020.
2022 saw 142 crashes in Butte County involving alcohol. These crashes led to 8 deaths and 181 injuries. 42 of the crashes were on state highways. 14 of the crashes involved pedestrians. Six of the crashes involved bicycles. 10 of the crashes involved motorcycles.
6. Tulare
- DUIs in 2019: 2711
- DUIs in 2020: 2223
- DUIs per 100K People: 462
Tulare County saw 2,711 DUIs in 2019 and 2,223 DUIs in 2020, with a rate of 462 DUIs per 100k people. The percentage of DUIs decreased by 18 percent from 2019 to 2020.
2022 saw 299 crashes involving alcohol in Tulare County. These crashes led to 22 deaths and 394 injuries. 105 of the crashes were on state highways. 17 of the crashes involved pedestrians. Two of the crashes involved bicycles. Six of the crashes involved motorcycles.
7. San Luis Obispo
- DUIs in 2019: 1633
- DUIs in 2020: 1290
- DUIs per 100K People: 459
San Luis Obispo County saw 1,633 DUIs in 2019 and 1,290 DUIs in 2020, with a rate of 459 DUIs per 100k people. The percentage of DUIs decreased by 21 percent from 2019 to 2020.
2022 saw 178 crashes involving alcohol in San Luis Obispo County. These crashes led to 11 deaths and 241 injuries. 71 of the crashes involved state highways. 11 of the crashes involved pedestrians. 10 of the crashes involved bicycles. 11 of the crashes involved motorcycles.
8. Kings
- DUIs in 2019: 838
- DUIs in 2020: 807
- DUIs per 100K People: 427
Kings County saw 838 DUIs in 2019 and 807 DUIs in 2020, with a rate of 427 DUIs per 100k people. The percentage of DUIs decreased by four percent from 2019 to 2020.
2022 saw 85 crashes involving alcohol in Kings County. These crashes led to 14 deaths and 121 injuries. 29 of the crashes were on state highways. Pedestrians were involved in four of the crashes. Motorcycles were involved in four of the crashes.
9. Fresno
- DUIs in 2019: 5254
- DUIs in 2020: 4313
- DUIs per 100K People: 423
Fresno County saw 5,254 DUIs in 2019 and 4,313 DUIs in 2020, with a rate of 423 DUIs per 100k people. The percentage of DUIs decreased by 18 percent from 2019 to 2020.
2022 saw 536 crashes involving alcohol in Fresno County. These crashes led to 51 deaths and 723 injuries. 153 of the crashes were on state highways. 29 of the crashes involved pedestrians. 16 of the crashes involved bicycles. 32 of the crashes involved motorcycles.
10. El Dorado
- DUIs in 2019: 684
- DUIs in 2020: 768
- DUIs per 100K People: 401
El Dorado County saw 684 DUIs in 2019 and 768 DUIs in 2020, with a rate of 401 DUIs per 100k people. The percentage of DUIs increased by 11 percent from 2019 to 2020.
2022 saw 111 crashes involving alcohol in El Dorado County. These crashes led to nine deaths and 140 injuries. 46 of the crashes were on state highways. Seven of the crashes involved pedestrians. Three of the crashes involved bicycles. Nine of the crashes involved motorcycles.
Have You Been Injured by a Drunken Driver? Contact an Attorney Today
It isn’t wise to drive while drunk. Doing so can lead to accidents which can lead to injuries, deaths or your car insurance rates going up.
Call us today for a free consultation if you or a loved one has been injured or killed in an accident involving a driver whose blood alcohol content was over the legal limit. Our experienced DUI accident injury lawyers can help you recover financial compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain, suffering, wrongful death and more.
We will not charge a fee to handle your DUI accident case until and unless we recover compensation on your behalf. The only fee we will charge to handle your drunk driving accident injury case is a percentage of any money we recover for you, meaning we won’t charge an upfront fee or out-of-pocket fee.
If you can’t afford to have your drunk driving accident injuries treated, we can get you to doctors who will treat you without charging you for treatment. Doctors know we get great results for our DUI injury clients and that’s why they give our clients this deal.
We have been representing those injured by drunk drivers since 1990 and have recovered over $750,000,000 for our clients. Our extensive experience handling drunk driving cases will allow us to recover the most money possible for you.
Call us today for a free case evaluation.
Jeffrey Nadrich
Jeffrey Nadrich is a nationally-recognized California plaintiff’s personal injury attorney. He is a graduate of UC Berkeley and UC Hastings College of the Law. He has successfully represented thousands of injury clients over the last 40 years.
