According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2000 America experienced the largest percentage increase in alcohol-related traffic deaths on record.

In 2000, 16,653 people were killed in crashes involving alcohol, representing 40 percent of the 41,821 people killed in all traffic crashes (versus 38.3% alcohol-related fatalities in 1999).

In 2001, more than half a million people were injured in crashes where police reported that alcohol
was present  an average of one person injured approximately every 2 minutes. (Blincoe, Seay et al.,2002)

Many second- and third-time convicted DWI offenders who had their license suspended accumulated traffic offenses or were involved in crashes during the suspension period. In one study, 32 percent of suspended second-time DWI offenders, and 61 percent of third-time offenders received violations or crash citations on their driving records during their suspensions. (NHTSA, 1999)

About one-third of all drivers arrested or convicted of driving while intoxicated or driving under the influence of alcohol (DWI/DUI) are repeat offenders. (NHTSA, 1999)

Of the 14.6 million arrests for criminal infractions in 1994, driving under the influence was the offense most often cited among adults. (FBI, 1995)

In 1997 an estimated 513,200 offenders were on probation or in jail or prison for driving while intoxicated by alcohol (DWI). (BJS, 1999)

In 1997, 1.4 million people were arrested in the U.S. for driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI)---more than all other reported criminal offenses except larency and theft. (NHTSA, 1999)

About a third of all drivers arrested for DWI are repeat offenders according to data gathered from 12 states. (NHTSA, 1996)

For DWI offenders sentenced to jail, the median term imposed was six months; those with two or more prior DWI sentences received sentences that were more than 1.3 times as long as first-timers. (sourcebook, 1993)