Overall, Alcohol-Impaired Driving Deaths Declined in 2024 but Remain Above Pre-Pandemic Levels
Newly released final 2024 crash data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration showed alcohol-impaired driving fatalities declined nationally in 2024, though they continued to account for nearly one-third of all traffic deaths.
According to the data cited by AAA Northeast and Mothers Against Drunk Driving Massachusetts, fatalities from crashes involving alcohol-impaired drivers fell nearly 4% nationwide in 2024, with 478 fewer deaths compared to 2023. Despite the decline, alcohol impairment remained a factor in more than 11,900 traffic fatalities across the United States.
The organizations noted that alcohol-impaired-driving fatalities have decreased each year since 2021, but the 2024 total remains above pre-pandemic levels.
Multiple Risk Behaviors Continued to Overlap in Fatal Crashes
Of the 9,078 alcohol-impaired drivers involved in fatal crashes in 2024, the report stated that:
- 1,443 were also speeding;
- 2,044 were not wearing a seat belt; and
- 1,565 exhibited all three behaviors.
AAA said it has partnered with MADD on a goal of reducing impaired driving deaths in the United States by 20% over the next five years.
Massachusetts Recorded 100 Alcohol-Impaired Driving Fatalities in 2024
In Massachusetts, alcohol-impaired-driving fatalities declined 11% from 2023 to 2024, according to the organizations. The state recorded 100 alcohol-impaired-driving fatalities in 2024, representing 27% of all traffic fatalities.
The decline came despite a 6.1% increase in total traffic fatalities statewide in 2024.
“Any downward trend in fatalities caused by impaired driving is welcome progress, but there is still so much progress left to make,” said Mark Schieldrop, senior spokesperson for AAA Northeast. “All too often, we hear these crashes referred to as accidents, but driving while impaired by alcohol is no accident. We will continue to provide education, advocate for strong legislation and support enforcement to reduce impaired driving.”
Northeast States Report Mixed Results
The following are results from across the Northeast region:
| State | 2024 Alcohol-Impaired-Driving Fatalities | % Change from 2023 | % of Total 2024 Traffic Fatalities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | 105 | -7.1% | 34% |
| Massachusetts | 100 | -11% | 27% |
| New Jersey | 150 | +6.4% | 22% |
| New York | 300 | -11% | 27% |
| Rhode Island | 19 | -24% | 37% |
MADD Massachusetts Says Impaired Driving Remains a Public Safety Crisis
Mary Kate DePamphilis, program director for MADD Massachusetts, said the reduction in fatalities still represented significant loss of life.
“While Massachusetts saw a decline in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities in 2024, with 100 lives lost—an 11% decrease from the previous year—each of these deaths represents a person who should still be here today,” DePamphilis said. “As we know firsthand through the victims’ families we work with, impaired driving continues to account for more than a quarter of all traffic fatalities in our state, underscoring that this remains a persistent and preventable public safety crisis.”
She added that MADD Massachusetts would continue working with road safety stakeholders, but said “lasting progress depends on our collective commitment to ending impaired driving through stronger prevention, accountability, and the advancement of life-saving technology.”
