How many people are killed by drunk drivers each year?
In 2007, 1,616 people were killed and 28,987 were injured in alcohol-related crashes in California, compared to 1,762 fatalities and 31,080 injuries in 2006.  This represents a 8.3 percent decrease in alcohol involved fatalities – the largest single-year decline since 1996-97. 
Source: NHTSA FARS 2007 data.

How many people are arrested for DUI each year?
In 2007, 203,866 people were arrested in California for driving under the influence, up from 197,248 in 2006. 
Source: California Department of Motor Vehicles.

How do I know if a driver is driving drunk or just a bad driver?
There are a variety of clues that might indicate a drunk driver, including: turning wide, almost striking another vehicle, weaving, swerving or turning abruptly, following too closely, erratic breaking and driving with headlights off, among others.  For a complete list of clues on how to spot a drunk driver, visit www.ots.ca.gov.

How can the public report a drunk driver?
Call 911 from your mobile phone when it is safe to do so.  If you continue to receive a busy signal when calling 911, call your local police or sheriff’s department to report a drunk driver. 

What happens when someone calls 911 to report a suspected drunk driver in California?
The 911 dispatcher will ask for the exact location of the vehicle, a vehicle description (make, model, color), as well as the license plate number.  That information will then be relayed to officers in the field.

Do I have to give my name if I call to report a suspected drunk driver?
No.  You can remain anonymous.

If I see a drunk driver, should I try and stop the car or talk to the driver?
No.  Leave that to trained professionals.  Don’t try to stop or follow the vehicle or detain the drunk driver if they stop.  Do not attempt to act in the capacity of any police, fire or medical personnel unless you are properly trained and authorized to perform that function.

Will sobriety checkpoints be taking place in my area?
Yes.  California’s “AVOID DUI” task forces have been expanded to include the California Highway Patrol (CHP) and more than 450 local law enforcement agencies, covering 98 percent of the state’s population.

What does a DUI cost?
According to the CHP, DUI in California can cost $7,000 or more, including:

• Vehicle tow charges and storage fees                                  
• Bail                                                            
• Attorney fees (just to plead guilty)               
• Fines, penalties and court fees                               
• DUI education                                                        
• Vehicle insurance increases

Plus…

• 96 hours to six months in jail
• Three to five years probation
• Drivers license suspension
• Missed time off work
• DUI conviction on your record for 10 years

Additional DUI statistics can be found on the CHP web site: http://www.chp.ca.gov/html/dui-en.html

Where can I find complete data on California DUI collisions, by county?
For 2006 statewide and county data, visit http://www.chp.ca.gov/switrs/

Additional DUI arrest data is also available from the Department of Justice at:
http://ag.ca.gov/cjsc/statisticsdatatabs/dtabsarrests.php#duiArrests