Summer Drinking
& DUI Resource Center

With so many people across the country hitting the roads during the summer, a sharp rise in both alcohol-involved crashes and DUIs is typically the result. But a boost in travel isn’t the only reason for concern.

Longer days mean backyard barbecues, visits to the pool or lake, baseball games, concerts, and ample opportunities to consume alcohol. This increase in drinking along with greater numbers of drivers makes summer the deadliest time of year on the road. Enjoying and celebrating the summer months is a good thing—everyone needs a vacation to unwind—but it doesn’t mean relaxing on the dangers of drunk driving.

In this Resource Center, you will find tools and resources to help raise awareness about summertime activities and drinking, to ensure the vacation season remains safe, relaxing, and enjoyable.

This Summer Drinking & DUIs infographic highlights the alarming impact alcohol has on summertime activities.

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June — August

The Most Dangerous Months for DUIs

The summer months see a significant increase in fatal alcohol-related crashes compared to the rest of the year. Share these stories to drive awareness on the consequences of drunk driving and alcohol-involved crashes.

The deadliest holiday for car accidents
CBS News

July 4th follows tide of DUI deaths
The San Diego Union-Tribune

Labor Day weekend car fatalities estimated at highest since 2008
Market Watch

Vermont police: Summer crashes tend to be more severe
Burlington Free Press

July 4th Surprising Statistics

Promote Independence Day Safety

Promote Independence Day safety by hanging this special July 4th poster and sharing with clients and on social media. This poster features a few surprising statistics about drunk driving deaths around the July 4th holiday period.

Independence Day was the second most dangerous holiday for drunk driving in 2023, with a 77% higher risk that drivers will be drunk behind the wheel. (MoneyGeek)
There were 196 drunk driving fatalities over the 2022 Independence Day holiday period. (NHTSA)
Of those who died in drunk driving crashes, 27% were involved in a crash where the driver had a BAC at or above 0.15. (NHTSA)

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Alcohol and Boating Don’t Mix

Impaired driving isn’t limited to the roadways. Boating under the influence (BUI) is just as dangerous as drunk driving and it’s illegal in all 50 states.

The effects of alcohol can be even greater on the water than on land. Boaters’ reaction times can be slowed by “boater’s hypnosis”—a combo of the impact of motion, vibration, noise, and the elements—and alcohol exacerbates this effect. Alcohol also increases the risk of dehydration, impairs judgment, and impacts a boater’s sense of balance.

Download and share the social graphic to help spread the word about drinking while boating.

Underage Drinking and Driving

The summer months are the deadliest for teenagers on the road. Once school is out, teens have more free time to party and drink, meaning more young drivers—some impaired by alcohol—will find their way onto the roads. June, July, and August see 50% more drunk driving deaths among teenagers than any other time of year.