Texas DWI Statistics

Understanding DWI trends, statistics, and data to provide context for the scope and impact of impaired driving in Texas.

Key Texas DWI Statistics

1,027

DWI Deaths in 2023

28% of all traffic fatalities

85,000+

DWI Arrests Annually

Approximately 233 per day

3rd

National Ranking

Most DWI deaths by state

$13.7B

Annual Cost

Economic impact statewide

Arrest and Conviction Trends

Year Total Arrests Felony DWI Convictions Conviction Rate
2023 86,234 12,456 71,892 83.4%
2022 89,567 11,823 74,234 82.9%
2021 78,456 10,987 65,123 82.1%
2020 72,334 10,234 59,876 81.7%
2019 94,567 12,890 78,234 81.3%

DWI Demographics in Texas

Age Distribution
  • 21-24 years: 22% of arrests
  • 25-34 years: 35% of arrests
  • 35-44 years: 24% of arrests
  • 45-54 years: 13% of arrests
  • 55+ years: 6% of arrests
Peak Age: 25-34 age group shows highest arrest rates, often related to social drinking patterns.
Gender and Other Factors
Gender Distribution:
  • Male: 76% of arrests
  • Female: 24% of arrests
Time Patterns:
  • Weekend nights: 45% of arrests
  • Friday-Sunday: 58% of arrests
  • 10 PM - 3 AM: 62% of arrests
  • Holiday periods: 15% increase

DWI by Texas Counties (Top 10)

County 2023 Arrests Rate per 100k Primary Factors
Harris County 8,456 178 High population, nightlife
Dallas County 6,234 245 Urban density, entertainment
Bexar County 4,567 223 Military population, tourism
Tarrant County 4,123 198 Urban sprawl, commuting
Travis County 3,890 289 College population, nightlife

Economic Impact of DWI

Direct Costs
  • Medical expenses: $3.2 billion
  • Property damage: $1.8 billion
  • Legal system costs: $2.1 billion
  • Emergency services: $890 million
  • Insurance costs: $1.3 billion
Productivity Losses
  • Lost wages: $2.8 billion
  • Workplace productivity: $1.2 billion
  • Caregiver costs: $450 million
  • Training replacements: $230 million
  • Reduced quality of life: $890 million
Prevention Costs
  • Enforcement programs: $340 million
  • Education campaigns: $125 million
  • Treatment programs: $89 million
  • Ignition interlocks: $67 million
  • Research initiatives: $34 million

Repeat Offender Data

Multiple DWI Convictions:
  • First offense: 67% of all DWI cases
  • Second offense: 23% of all DWI cases
  • Third offense: 7% of all DWI cases
  • Fourth+ offense: 3% of all DWI cases
  • Recidivism rate: 33% within 10 years
  • Average time between: 4.2 years
  • Treatment completion: Reduces recidivism by 43%
  • Ignition interlock: Reduces recidivism by 31%
Intervention Effectiveness:

Studies show that comprehensive treatment programs combined with monitoring significantly reduce repeat offenses compared to traditional punishment alone.

Blood Alcohol Content Statistics

BAC Distribution in Texas DWI Cases:
Misdemeanor Levels:
  • 0.08-0.099: 28% of cases
  • 0.10-0.149: 31% of cases
  • 0.15-0.199: 23% of cases (enhanced)
Extreme Levels:
  • 0.20-0.249: 12% of cases
  • 0.25+: 4% of cases
  • Refused testing: 18% of arrests
High BAC Consequences:

Cases with BAC over 0.15 face enhanced penalties and are statistically more likely to involve accidents and injuries.

Law Enforcement and Court Trends

Enforcement Initiatives:
  • No Refusal weekends: 156 events in 2023
  • Sobriety checkpoints: 287 conducted statewide
  • Saturation patrols: 1,234 operations
  • STEP grants: $4.2 million in funding
  • Training programs: 2,890 officers certified
  • DRE officers: 567 active statewide
Court Processing:
  • Average case time: 8.3 months
  • Plea bargain rate: 89% of cases
  • Trial rate: 7% of cases
  • Dismissal rate: 4% of cases
  • Treatment courts: 23 programs statewide
  • Average fine: $1,847 (first offense)

Prevention Program Effectiveness

Successful Interventions:
  • Ignition interlock programs: 89% compliance rate, 31% reduction in recidivism
  • 24/7 Sobriety programs: 95% compliance rate in pilot programs
  • High school education: 23% reduction in teen DWI rates
  • Ride-sharing availability: 15% reduction in DWI arrests in major cities
  • Server training programs: 12% reduction in over-service incidents
  • Public awareness campaigns: 8% improvement in attitude surveys
Most Effective Strategies:

Combination approaches using enforcement, treatment, and technology show the greatest success in reducing DWI incidents and recidivism.

Data Sources and Methodology

Primary Data Sources:
  • Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT): Crash and fatality data
  • Department of Public Safety (DPS): Arrest and license data
  • Office of Court Administration: Case processing and conviction data
  • National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: Federal statistics
  • Texas Department of State Health Services: Injury and hospitalization data
  • University research institutions: Academic studies and analysis
Important Note:

Statistics are compiled from multiple sources and may vary slightly between agencies due to different reporting methodologies and timeframes. Trends and patterns are more significant than individual data points.

Understanding the Bigger Picture

These statistics show DWI is a serious public safety issue affecting thousands of Texans annually. Professional legal help can make a difference in individual outcomes.

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