The DUI defense attorneys in San Francisco at Ticket Crushers pay attention to DUI statistics across the state because these statistics often influence policy. It is important to note that both the number of DUI arrests and fatalities involving DUI as a primary factor have dropped steadily over the last 10 years.
DUI Statistics for the State of California
These DUI statistics for California were last updated on Friday, February 17, 2017. The final data for 2014 and 2015 is not yet available. What were the total number of DUI arrests in California? The total number of DUI arrests from 1999 through 2013, are listed below:
The total number of DUI arrests from 1999 through 2013, are listed below:
| Year | DUI Arrests (total)* | Fatal DUI/PCF* collisions | Injury DUI/PCF* collisions | Alcohol-Involved Fatal collisions | Alcohol-Involved Injury collisions |
| 2013 | 162,199 | 568 | 11,861 | 1,075 | 16,060 |
| 2012 | 175,407 | 526 | 12,540 | 1,066 | 16,615 |
| 2011 | 182,672 | 539 | 12,347 | 1,017 | 16,568 |
| 2010 | 198,249 | 477 | 12,567 | 972 | 16,884 |
| 2009 | 210,726 | 629 | 13,448 | 1,146 | 17,976 |
| 2008 | 217,201 | 705 | 14,701 | 1,239 | 19,659 |
| 2007 | 206,196 | 786 | 15,481 | 1,347 | 20,877 |
| 2006 | 199,147 | 841 | 15,391 | 1,420 | 20,912 |
| 2005 | 182,414 | 857 | 14,957 | 1,387 | 20,581 |
| 2004 | 182,771 | 829 | 14,707 | 1,326 | 20,872 |
| 2003 | 185,973 | 748 | 14,310 | 1,274 | 20,638 |
| 2002 | 179,663 | 758 | 14,195 | 1,269 | 20,759 |
| 2001 | 178,950 | 1,048 | 16,261 | 1,171 | 20,662 |
| 2000 | 183,955 | 931 | 15,726 | 1,094 | 19,924 |
| 1999 | 190,286 | 835 | 15,244 | 1,029 | 19,173 |
* — The abbreviation “DUI/PCF” means Primary Collision Factor, which indicates that the collision was attributed to an impaired driver (i.e., driving under the influence [DUI] was the primary cause of the collision).
Out of the 172,893 DUI arrests made in 2012, 5,047 of those cases were for felony DUI cases. The conviction rate was approximately 73% in both 2010 and 2012. The conviction rate in 2010 and 2011 was the lowest in the past 10 years. It is important to note that due to the underreporting of DUI arrest data by the California Highway Patrol (CHP) for the month of April 2011, the total for 2011 is undercounted by approximately 6,500. The highest conviction rate during that time period was in 2007 at 78.8%.
For 2011, there were 19,204 convictions for alcohol or drug-involved reckless driving which represented 7.9 percent.
Among convicted DUI offenders arrested in 2011, 73.7% were first DUI offenders and 26.3% were repeat DUI offenders (one or more prior convictions within the previous 10 years).
Females comprised 23.4% of convicted DUI offenders arrested in 2011. The proportion of females among convicted DUI offenders has risen slightly each year since 1994.
Recent DUI Statistics in San Francisco County in 2011
The DUI conviction data for 2011 DUI arrests shows that in San Francisco County there were 1,085 convictions for a misdemeanor DUI. In San Francisco County there were 37 convictions for felony DUI. This county for felony DUI convictions includes misdemeanors which carried a felony disposition code. These counts do not include 4th offenses (in 10 years) which are statutorily defined as felonies.
There were 6 convictions for under 21 DUI for violations of VC 23140. The recent statistics for DUI conviction rates in San Francisco County show that 241 of the convictions for alcohol or drug reckless. The median DUI adjudication times were 78 days with 11 convictions to the DMV update.
The adjudication status of 2011 DUI arrests by county showed that in San Francisco County, there was a 58.3% conviction rate. The DUI convictions were 56.7% for misdemeanor DUI and 1.6% for felony DUI. Out of the reckless driving convictions, 10.3% were for alcohol or drug and 3% are for non-alcohol and non-drug offenses. There were 1.1% of other convictions. 27.4% of the cases shows no record of any conviction including dismissals and failures-to-appear (FTA).
The statewide failure to appear (FTA) average in California is 2.7%.
Additional Resources:
Department of Justice (DOJ) Statistics Center — The DOJ Statistics Center provides statistics for the number of DUI Arrests in California. The DUI statistics contained herein are provided by Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS).
Drunk Driving Statistics in California — Visit the website for Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) to find more DUI statistics in California in 2016. Learn more about the ignition interlock pilot program requiring interlocks for all persons convicted of drunk driving in four California counties. MADD is pushing for the requirements of the pilot program to be implemented statewide.
2016 Statistics by the California DMV — Visit the website for the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to learn more from their Office of Public Affairs to find the most recent statistics in DUI cases by county in California in 2014, 2015, and 2016.
DUI Attorneys in San Francisco, CA
If you were charged with DUI or drunk driving in San Francisco, CA, contact an experienced DUI attorney at Ticket Crushers. We can explain the charges and help you decide the best course of action in your particular case. We may be able to find problems with the prosecutor’s case that could lead to a reduction or dismissal of charges and help you avoid the most severe penalties or any penalties at all.
Call 1 (866) 842-5384 to schedule a consultation with the dedicated San Francisco DUI attorneys at [$firm]] today.
