BMW Drivers Have The Highest DUI Rates In The Nation, Says New Study

As if BMW drivers didn’t need more reasons for other drivers to judge them, a new study says they have the most DUI rates in the nation.

According to Lending Tree, BMW drivers have the highest DUI rate among the car brands analyzed across the 50 largest cities in the USA, with 3.09 DUIs per 1,000 drivers and with the next highest being Ram (3.00) and Acura (2.69).

Of course, driving under the influence, or DUI, is a major public safety concern throughout the world no matter what vehicle’s being driven. But depending on where you live, the risk of encountering a drunken driver could be higher or lower, according to the study.

To better understand where DUIs occur most often and what factors might drive those trends, LendingTree turned to the data. By analyzing QuoteWizard by LendingTree quotes from the 50 largest U.S. cities, Omaha, Nebraska has the highest DUI rate, an three of the top five cities for DUIs are in California.

They also looked at DUI rates by age group and vehicle make, as well as auto insurance premium increases after a DUI conviction.

Omaha, Neb., and San Jose and Sacramento, Calif., drivers have the highest DUI rates among the 50 largest U.S. cities. These cities see 4.48, 3.68 and 3.55 DUIs per 1,000 drivers, respectively.

Gen Z drivers most likely to be caught driving under the influence

Millennials aren’t far behind, though. Gen Zers in the 50 largest cities have the highest DUI rate at 2.62 per 1,000 drivers, with millennials trailing at 2.40.

El Paso, Texas, had the highest percentage of fatal crashes involving a drunken driver in 2023. 60.8% of deadly crashes in the city were attributed to drunken driving. Omaha (60.6%) and Portland, Ore. (54.7%), followed.

Highest DUI rates are in Nebraska, California

Of the 50 largest cities in the U.S., the location with the highest DUI rate is Omaha, Neb. Omaha has a DUI rate of 4.48 DUIs per 1,000 drivers — more than twice as high as the 50-city average of 1.90.

California drivers in several cities have particularly high DUI rates as well. Among the 10 largest U.S. cities with the highest DUI rates, six are in California:

• San Jose: 3.68

• Sacramento: 3.55

• Fresno: 3.31

• Long Beach: 2.83

• Bakersfield: 2.78

• Oakland: 2.76

While exact causes can be tough to determine, LendingTree spokesman Rob Bhatt notes that climate and other factors might be at play. “Warm weather entices people to gather, often with alcohol," he says. “A lack of transit may lead many to drive when they should use alternative transportation. Stricter enforcement of DUI laws can certainly also be a factor in high DUI rates, too.”

The worst DUI rates are in Omaha, NE; San Jose, CA: and Sacramento, CA.

Conversely, the cities with the lowest DUI rates are Chicago, Tulsa, Okla., Miami, Memphis, Tenn., and Philadelphia. The DUI rates in each of these cities fall well below the 50-city average, with Chicago at 0.45 DUIs per 1,000 drivers and Tulsa at 0.65. Miami, Memphis and Philadelphia tie at 0.66.

What to do about it?

Over time, outraged families of those killed in DUI or drunken driving incidents have lobbied the government to crack down on those driving while impaired, and incidents have come down, say statistics. That’s the good news.

Still, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that about 34 people a day in the United States die in drunk-driving crashes — that’s one person every 42 minutes. In 2023, 12,429 people died in alcohol-impaired driving traffic deaths. These deaths were all preventable, they say. What to do? The NHTSA says:

*Tough enforcement of drunk-driving laws has been a major factor in reducing drunk-driving deaths since the 1980s. Charges range from misdemeanors to felony offenses and penalties for impaired driving can include driver’s license revocation, fines, and jail time. It’s also extremely expensive to get caught. A first-time offense can cost the driver upwards of $10,000 in fines and legal fees.

*Many states require offenders to install ignition interlock devices at the driver’s own expense. An ignition interlock device is a breath test device connected to a vehicle’s ignition. The vehicle cannot be operated unless the driver blows into the interlock and has a BAC below a pre-set low limit, usually .02 g/dL. NHTSA strongly supports the expansion of ignition interlocks as a proven technology that keeps drunk drivers from getting behind the wheel.

*Many states are recognizing that the legalization of marijuana has led to more people driving impaired. Many states post billboards reading “Buzzed Driving Isn’t Sober Driving.”

Read the full study here.

By Josh Max, Contributor