Wisconsin is No. 1 for driving drunk; Minnesota ranks third

twincities.com ^ | 04/23/2008 06:15:58 AM CDT | Pioneer Press

[Fawn]

Wisconsin leads the U.S. in drunken driving rates — and Minnesota is not far behind. So says a federal government report released today.

A CLOSER LOOK
It's estimated more than a quarter of Wisconsin's adult drivers drove under the influence in the past year. Rounding out the worst five states — all from the Upper Midwest — were North Dakota, Minnesota, Nebraska and South Dakota.

WHICH STATE WAS THE BEST?
Utah had the lowest incidence of drunken driving. It was the only state where fewer than 10 percent of adult drivers reported driving drunk. Next came West Virginia, Arkansas, Kentucky and North Carolina — all with rates of less than 11 percent.

WHY SUCH DIFFERENCES?
Cultural and demographic issues probably have a role, said Eric Goplerud, research professor at George Washington University Medical Center. He said:

• Religious affiliations in the Southeast often strongly discourage drinking. That doesn't occur so much in the Upper Midwest.
• Blacks drink at far lower and less hazardous rates than whites. The populations in the Upper Midwest are heavily white.

[Kenny Bunk]

They are quite a bit faster than lawn tractors and are used extensively by those who have lost DLs for DUI.

Thanks for the heads up. So who's mowing the sides of the roads in WV? Seen a few good old boys driving to the VFW with their blades turning.

[Roccus]

"So who's mowing the sides of the roads in WV?"

Me, for one. (non-drinker...non-VFW) };^)

[burroak]

The ranking of drunk driving deaths was based on the number of deaths compared to the number of drivers and expressed as a percentage. The number of miles of road would not be relevant.

[DManA]

You always have to ask yourself where do the writers want your sensibilities to lie. Why focus on drinking rates? Why not focus on accidents/1000 miles driven and THEN look at things like drinking statistics to try to explain the accident prone states. This is a story from the new abalitionists trying to shame people into their way of thinking.

[JZelle]

The Vikings just traded their first and two thirds for Jared Allen of the Chiefs. Jared has trouble with the sauce. This may not go well.

[Fawn]

THe roads in Wisconsin will have 1/100 the traffic than a state like NY. Less people on a certain road...less accidents.

[wallcrawlr]

we just signed Jared Allen to the Vikings

we’re trying to raise our score

[Bender2]

Re: we just signed Jared Allen to the Vikings

From Chiefs trade Allen to Vikings: "Allen says he has quit drinking, and another DUI arrest could bring with it a yearlong suspension."

From Jared Allen - Wikipedia: "Jared credited his early 2007 season success to his mullet. With every quarterback sack Allen makes, he will shave a "racing stripe" into his hairstyle."

Well, if we get Pacman... I may stop laughing!

[grey_whiskers]

[SFC MAC]

Are you saying you’ve never done it?

[Fawn]

YES I can say that! I hardly drink to begin with...and I think it’s very selfish to get on the road and jeopardize other peoples lives.

[SFC MAC]

That’s not the point. As long as you’re in a privileged position; politician, high-ranking offer, cop, etc, you’re likely to get off a hell of a lot easier than the averge joe/josephine. I, like many other people, have hoisted a few and never hurt anyone, but paid fines out the ying yang. But let a Kennedy drive drunk off a bridge and kill somebody in the process.....