New Hampshire DUI Statistics and Rates

Driving under the influence (DUI) remains a persistent and deadly threat on American roads. Every year, many lives are tragically cut short or forever altered by the reckless decision to get behind the wheel while impaired.

Despite widespread awareness campaigns and strict legal penalties, DUI continues to contribute significantly to traffic fatalities and societal costs in New Hampshire.

Here are the latest statistics and trends in New Hampshire regarding DUI incidents.

Key Takeaways:

In 2019, there were 40 alcohol-impaired driving fatalities in New Hampshire compared to 10,142 nationally. These fatalities accounted for 39.6% of total fatalities in New Hampshire, whereas the national percentage was 28.1%.

For those under 21, alcohol-impaired driving fatalities in 2019 made up 16.7% of total under-21 fatalities in New Hampshire, in contrast to 23.3% nationally.

2019 data shows that 68% of alcohol-impaired driving fatalities in New Hampshire involved drivers with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.15 or higher. All these drivers were repeat offenders.

In 2018, New Hampshire ranked 14th for drunken driving rates with 383.6 DUI-related arrests per 100,000 people, significantly higher than the national average of 301.3 arrests per 100,000.

From 2014 to 2018, the DUI arrest rate in New Hampshire increased by 3.2%. However, from 2009 to 2018, the DUI arrest rate decreased by 4.8%.

In 2021, 10.7% of all arrests in New Hampshire were due to driving under the influence, with a total of 4,067 arrests reported.

The gender distribution of DUI arrests in 2021 showed that 69.1% of arrestees were males and 30.9% were females.

From 2020 to 2021, the number of drivers with a BAC of 0.08 or higher involved in fatal crashes in New Hampshire increased by 32%. During this period, alcohol-impaired fatalities rose by 18%, from 38 in 2020 to 45 in 2021.

Between 2019 and 2022, New Hampshire experienced a 47% increase in traffic fatalities from 101 to 148.

General Insights

Here are some general statistics about New Hampshire’s DUI scene:

According to Responsibility.org’s National Drunk Driving Statistics Map 2019, there were 40 alcohol-impaired driving fatalities in New Hampshire, compared to 10,142 nationally. These made up 39.6% of total fatalities in New Hampshire, whereas the national percentage was 28.1%.

For those under 21 in the National Drunk Driving Statistics Map 2019, alcohol-impaired driving fatalities accounted for 16.7% of total under-21 fatalities in New Hampshire, in contrast to 23.3% nationally.

The National Drunk Driving Statistics Map also reports that in 2019, 68% of alcohol-impaired driving fatalities in New Hampshire involved drivers with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.15 or higher. 100% of the drivers with a BAC of 0.15 or higher involved in fatal crashes were repeat offenders, while nationally, the percentage was 74.7%.

The CDC’s Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey conducted in 2018 found that over a 30-day period, roughly 1.7% of adults nationwide admitted to driving after having too much alcohol. In New Hampshire, that number was slightly lower at 1.5%.

Arrests Due to DUI in New Hampshire

Statistics about DUI arrests in New Hampshire include:

As per Patch, Concord’s leading news platform, New Hampshire ranked 14th for drunken driving rates in 2018. The state had 383.6 DUI-related arrests per 100,000 people, significantly higher than the national average of 301.3 per 100,000. The data was sourced from the CDC, U.S. Department of Transportation, and FBI crime reports.

Patch’s report also shows that from 2014 to 2018, the DUI arrest rate in New Hampshire increased by 3.2%. However, from 2009 to 2018, the DUI arrest rate decreased by 4.8%. The highest DUI arrest rate in New Hampshire over the decade was in 2009, with 402.96 arrests per 100,000 people.

According to FBI data, 10.7% of all arrests in New Hampshire in 2021 were due to driving under the influence.

As per the crime statistics reported by the Government of New Hampshire, there were a total of 4067 DUI arrests in the state in 2021. The age breakdown of the arrestees is shown below:

Out of the 4067 arrests reported by the Government of New Hampshire in 2021, 2811 (69.1%) were males and 1256 (30.9%) were females.

According to New Hampshire Employment Security, in 2019, New Hampshire recorded 5,116 arrests for driving under the influence. The number represents slightly less than 0.5% of the population aged 18 and older in the state.

The New Hampshire Employment Security also showed that the total number of arrests in New Hampshire decreased by 5.3% in 2019 compared to the previous year. Juvenile arrests were also down by 1.2%. In contrast, DUI arrests increased by 1.2% year-over-year. Particularly concerning was the 17.2% rise in juvenile DUI arrests from 2018 to 2019.

According to a CDC study, in 2012, there were approximately 313 incidents of impaired driving per 1,000 adults in New Hampshire.

As reported by the New Hampshire Employment Security data, in 2015, there were 4,756 DUI offenses reported.

Fatal Crashes Due to DUI in New Hampshire

Statistics about fatal DUI crashes in the state include:

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Traffic Safety Facts Report mentions that in 2020, 34 drivers involved in fatal crashes in New Hampshire had a BAC of 0.08 or higher, making up 23% of such drivers. In 2021, this number increased to 45 drivers and accounted for 38% of drivers involved in fatal crashes.

According to data from the NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis, out of 36,096 traffic fatalities in 2019, approximately 10,142 individuals (28%) died in crashes involving alcohol impairment. The states with the highest percentages of alcohol-impaired driving fatalities were Rhode Island (44%), North Dakota (41%), and New Hampshire (40%).

NHTSA data also reports that in New Hampshire, the total number of alcohol-impaired fatalities increased from 104 in 2020 to 118 in 2021, which represents an 18% increase from 2020 to 2021.

From 2020 to 2021, there was a 32% increase in the number of drivers with a BAC of 0.08 or higher involved in fatal crashes in New Hampshire, according to the NHTSA Traffic Safety Facts Report.

The Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) shows that from 2009 to 2018, there were 354 deaths in New Hampshire from car accidents involving a drunk driver.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the Alcohol Driving Law in New Hampshire?

In New Hampshire, it is illegal to drive with a BAC of 0.08 or higher for drivers over 21, and 0.02% for those under 21. Penalties include fines, license suspension, and possible jail time. Repeated offenses and high BAC levels result in more severe penalties.

How Long Does a DUI Stay on Your Record in New Hampshire?

In New Hampshire, a DUI conviction stays on your driving record for 10 years. It affects insurance rates and can influence penalties for any future offenses. The conviction also remains on your criminal record permanently unless legally removed through an annulment process.

How Many Traffic Deaths in New Hampshire Are Attributed to DUI?

Approximately one-third of all traffic fatalities are attributed to drunk driving in New Hampshire. In 2020, there were 104 total traffic fatalities, out of which 38 were related to alcohol impairment. Similarly, in 2021, 45 out of 118 deaths involved alcohol-impaired fatalities. To understand how other drugs affect New Hampshire, check out our post on New Hampshire addiction statistics.

Data Sources

Discover Health Editorial Team

Our team of behavioral health experts includes licensed counselors, trauma specialists, certified recovery support workers, and alcohol & drug treatment professionals. We provide accurate, evidence-based information to guide you on your path to wellness.

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