A new national analysis exposes a revealing pattern in drunk driving behavior: BMW drivers lead the nation in DUI citations (3.09 per 1,000), while Tesla incidents have surged 18.7% year-over-year, raising questions about technology, culture, and accountability on U.S. roads.
The study examined data from 30 major car brands across all 50 states to uncover which vehicles are most frequently linked to alcohol-related crashes and DUI arrests. What it found suggests driver identity, not just location, may be shaping America’s drunk driving epidemic.
The full dataset, brand breakdowns, and state rankings are available here. The study was conducted by the Suzuki Law Offices, which specializes in criminal defense and personal injury.
Key Findings
- BMW tops DUI citation rates at 3.09 per 1,000 drivers, the highest among all brands.
- RAM ranks worst in 16 states, including California, peaking at 74.2 incidents per 1,000 in New Jersey.
- Tesla incidents rose to 36.94 per 1,000 in 2024, up from 31.13 in 2023, a +18.7% jump.
- Luxury brand contrast: BMW and RAM drivers show higher risk, while Mercedes-Benz and Land Rover report among the lowest citation rates.
- Nationally, 12,429 people died in alcohol-impaired crashes in 2023, about one every 42 minutes.
- Truck and high-horsepower models dominate DUI incidents in states with lower enforcement penalties.
- California, Texas, and Florida lead brand-linked DUI citations – together representing 29% of all recorded cases.
Brand-Level DUI Comparison (2024)
| Brand | DUI Citations per 1,000 Drivers | Change vs. 2023 | Notable State Trend |
| BMW | 3.09 | Up 4% | High concentration in CA & FL |
| RAM | 3 | Up 6% | Worst in 16 states, incl. NJ (74.2/1,000) |
| Tesla | 36.94 (All incidents) | Up 18.7% YoY | Rising in CO, TX, NV |
| Mercedes-Benz | 1.01 | Down 3% | Consistently low across regions |
| Land Rover | 0.94 | Down 5% | Strong compliance in NE, WA |
| Pontiac | 1.23 | Up 1% | Minimal change since 2022 |
Breaking Down the Data
The results highlight a behavioral divide within vehicle classes. BMW and RAM drivers consistently over-index in DUI citations, suggesting that status-oriented or high-power vehicles may correlate with greater risk tolerance and late-night driving exposure. Meanwhile, Tesla’s 18.7% surge shows that even tech-savvy drivers aren’t immune — potentially reflecting post-pandemic nightlife recovery and overconfidence in semi-autonomous systems.
Luxury automakers like Mercedes-Benz and Land Rover, however, show persistently low DUI rates, indicating that high income alone isn’t the driving factor. Instead, brand culture, urban exposure, and enforcement intensity may better explain these differences.
Data Analysis
- Pattern spread: Citation rates are skewed toward performance and truck models, confirming behavioral risk segmentation.
- Geographic overlap: Texas and California account for nearly one-third of all brand-linked DUI citations.
- Trend movement: National DUI deaths rose 2% year-over-year, aligning with the Tesla and RAM increase.
- Policy gap: Only 18 states have fully adopted ignition interlock mandates for first-time offenders.
Urgency
At the current pace, brand-linked DUI incidents could exceed 40,000 nationwide by 2025. Enforcement agencies are beginning to track brand-level risk as insurance and automakers face rising liability pressure. For journalists, this data provides a timely snapshot of behavioral risk behind the wheel, and a chance to explore how consumer identity intersects with public safety.
Credibility Anchor
The study analyzed 2023–2024 DUI citation and crash data from state transportation departments, NHTSA, and insurance records across 50 U.S. cities. It applied descriptive statistical modeling to brand-specific incident rates, normalized per 1,000 registered drivers. The analysis maintains a 95% confidence level and covers 30 leading vehicle brands.