R.I. Tops Alcohol Related Fatalities List

R.I. Tops Alcohol Related Fatalities List
December 9, 2004

Research Summary

A report compiled by the national physicians' group End Needless Death on Our Roadways (END) finds that Rhode Island leads all other U.S. states in the number of alcohol-related traffic fatalities, ABC News reported Dec. 7.

The report identifies the 15 deadliest states based on alcohol-related fatalities. In Rhode Island, 55 percent of all traffic deaths last year were alcohol-related. Hawaii was second with 53 percent.

Other states with a high percentage of alcohol-related deaths in 2003 were Nevada, 50 percent; North Dakota, 50 percent; South Carolina, 50 percent; Montana, 49 percent; South Dakota, 48 percent; Texas, 47 percent; Wisconsin, 46 percent; Connecticut, 45 percent; Louisiana, 45 percent; Massachusetts, 45 percent; New Mexico, 45 percent; Illinois, 44 percent; and Kansas, 44 percent.

The state with the lowest percentage of alcohol-related traffic fatalities was Utah at 15 percent, far below the national average of 40 percent.

END is urging the "Fatal Fifteen" states to form task forces to discuss and recommend ways to reduce drunk driving.

The report was based on data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.