Drunken Driving Arrests for Women Continue to Rise

The number of women arrested for driving while under the influence of alcohol has increased by nearly 30% from 1998-2007, according to a report released this month by the National Highway Traffic Safety Association. The increase was also confirmed by similar FBI statistics.

While more women are driving drunk (or rather caught driving drunk), the number of men arrested during that same 10-year period actually fell by 7.5%.

Even with the drop, men are more likely to be arrested for drunken driving. The study found the number of men being arrested for intoxication behind the wheel topped arrests of women by a ratio of roughly 4-to-1.

However, some states are taking targeted action. New Mexico has a campaign focused specifically on women with signs that read “Women Drive Drunk, Too.”

NHTSA released its report to coincide with its national anti-drunken driving campaign, “Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest.” The campaign, which ran during Labor Day weekend, included sobriety checkpoints and saturation patrols. Last year, 40% of all fatal crashes on Labor Day involved a drunken driver.

Arrests of Women for Drunken Driving Are on the Rise (Wheels)

Comments

The stats for arrest are lower for women because cops are more likely to let them go. I even had a friend where the cop drove her home and she didn't even remember because she was so drunk. This same girl has been let off by the cops at least 5 times! I drove drunk when I was in college and the cop didn't even let me explain and arrested me. Women get a lot more preferential treatment than men.

one step closer to equality.