California DUI news - U.S. drunk driving deaths rise

WASHINGTON – Alcohol-related deaths on U.S. roads rose to their highest level in 14 years in 2006, while the overall number of people killed in traffic crashes declined slightly but still topped 43,000, according to preliminary government estimates Friday.

The Transportation Department said that drunken driving deaths rose 2.4 percent to 17,941 after a slight decline in 2005. It was the highest level since 1992 when 18,290 deaths were reported.

Alcohol-related fatalities accounted for 41 percent of all traffic deaths, which dropped less than 1 percent last year to 43,300. Annual auto deaths have hovered around 43,000 for the past five years.

The number of fatal crashes remained virtually unchanged at just over 39,000, and most victims, 55 percent, were not wearing seat belts, the government said.

More than 2.5 million people were hurt in auto crashes.

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