More people are back on the road again thanks to improved healthcare initiatives to deal with the pandemic. While this means a slow return to regular traffic increasing to pre-pandemic levels, it also hints at a return to pre-pandemic DUI statistics. Recent reports even indicate that DUI cases in Las Vegas are already spiking up to its old figures in the past few months. What's equally interesting is that the national average for drunk driving cases was actually higher towards the last quarter of the year.
Despite the reports, you'd be surprised to know that Nevada isn't among the top states with a recorded increase in DUI cases in the past few months. Listed below are five states with higher DUI cases recorded in early 2021.
South Dakota
The Mount Rushmore State is reported to have DUI cases with 3.87% of all its registered drivers. According to state and national officials, that is one-and-a-half times higher than the national average for inebriated drivers over the past year. On a more grim note, South Dakotan drunk drivers accounted for 16% more DUI-related fatalities than the national average. Little wonder that the state is among the highest-rated when it comes to DUI for two straight years.
Minnesota
With a 44%-above-average DUI case rating, the North Star State is considered fourth overall for drunk driving bookings for the first quarter of the year. In a surprising contrast, fewer Minnesotans suffer life-threatening injuries or outright death when they get involved in a DUI collision, a marked contrast to South Dakota. The higher penalties for inebriated driving may be a factor for this difference.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is also another consecutive top placer like South Dakota, and even shares Minnesota's 44%-above-average rating for DUI cases. It has around 3.79% getting booked for drunk driving over the past few months. Even worse for its standing is that it has an even higher DUI-related fatality rate than South Dakota.
Wyoming
Despite having one the lowest population densities across the country, the Cowboy State still trumps the others when it comes to drunk driving cases during the latter half of 2020 and the early parts of 2021. A whopping 4.6% of all its registered drivers has at least one DUI booking, a significant ramp up from the next highest. It sits at 54% above the national average when it comes to drunk driving.
North Dakota
Contrary to its reputation as the Peace Garden State, North Dakota tops the list of states with the highest DUI cases in early 2021. Sitting at 4.9% of all drivers registered in the state, it is 57% higher than the national average for all kinds of DUI. Like most of the top states on this list, North Dakota holds its spot for the second year in a row. In a unique subversion, the state only has an average fatality rating for DUI collisions that is on par with the national average.
The Pandemic may not have had a major effect on the DUI cases in these states, but this should stand to remind you about how determined state governments are in convicting drunk drivers. If you ever end up a similar drunk driving case in Las Vegas, remember that there is a veteran criminal defense attorney that you can rely on to represent you.