Latest study reveals the states with the highest alcohol-related arrest rates
OnFocus
By David Keech
February 27, 2025
True Self Recovery highlights which states stand out the most in each category: DUI arrests, drunkenness arrests, and liquor law violation arrests.
Further Findings:
- Driving under influence (DUI) arrests: South Dakota stands out the most with the highest rates of DUI arrests, with 334.60 arrests per 10,000 residents, 233% higher than the US average, while Delaware holds the lowest rates with 16.05 arrests per 10,000 residents, which is 526% lower than the national average.
- Drunkenness Arrests: South Dakota has the most drunkenness arrests, with 94.38 per 10,000 residents, 601% higher than the average, while Hawaii, Illinois, New York, Vermont, and Wisconsin have the lowest rate, with zero arrests per 10,000 residents.
- Liquor Law Violation Arrests: North Dakota leads with 150.29 liquor law violation arrests per 10,000 residents, which is 934% higher than the US average, while Kentucky holds the lowest rate with a liquor law violation arrest of 0.65 per 10,000 residents, which is 2137% lower than the national average.
- Overall, the US average for alcohol-related arrests per 10,000 residents is 100.50, while the drunkenness arrests per 10,000 residents is 13.47, and the liquor law violation arrests per 10,000 residents is 14.53.
Top 5 States with the Highest DUI Arrests:
| Rank | State | DUI Arrests per 10k | % Comparison to US Average |
| 1 | South Dakota | 334.60 | 233% higher |
| 2 | North Dakota | 286.80 | 185% higher |
| 3 | Wyoming | 237.82 | 137% higher |
| 4 | Alaska | 198.22 | 97% higher |
| 5 | Idaho | 189.26 | 88% higher |
Top 5 States with the Highest Drunkenness Arrests:
| Rank | State | Drunkeness Arrests per 10k | % Comparison to US Average |
| 1 | South Dakota | 94.38 | 601% higher |
| 2 | Wyoming | 63.74 | 373% higher |
| 3 | Kentucky | 53.81 | 300% higher |
| 4 | New Hampshire | 41.26 | 206% higher |
| 5 | Oklahoma | 40.43 | 200% higher |
Top 5 States with the Highest Liquor Law Violation Arrests:
| Rank | State | Liquor Law Violation Arrests per 10k | % Comparison to US Average |
| 1 | North Dakota | 150.29 | 934% higher |
| 2 | South Dakota | 117.39 | 708% higher |
| 3 | Wyoming | 112.93 | 677% higher |
| 4 | Nebraska | 63.43 | 337% higher |
| 5 | Wisconsin | 56.89 | 292% higher |