This Raleigh DUI lawyer would like to discuss the relatively high number of DUI/DWI arrests in North Carolina, as compared to other states. According to statistics compiled by the F.B.I., North Carolina had the fourth highest number of D.U.I./D.W.I. arrests in 2009 — a total of 49,749 — only Michigan, California, and Florida reported more arrests.
A couple of factors are likely responsible for North Carolina’s high ranking. Aggressive pursuit of drunk drivers by local police departments is, not surprisingly, a major factor. Indeed, while North Carolina may have one of the highest numbers of arrests each year, its law enforcement officers also conduct more sobriety checkpoints each year then many states combined — one of the highest numbers in the country.
Ok, well that one was relatively obvious. Other factors, however, aren’t quite as obvious. Statistics (again compiled by the F.B.I.) also clearly indicate a higher frequency of DUI/DWI arrests in smaller towns and cities than in major cities. Consider this: in year 2009 police in Chicago arrested 4,341 people on DUI/DWI charges (or about 0.15% of the population), whereas officers in Wilmington (NC) arrested 927 people on DUI/DWI charges (or about 1.2% of the population). So, all things being equal, you are almost 10 times more likely to be arrested for DUI/DWI in Wilmington than you are in Chicago.
There are several likely explanations for the radically different arrest rates in smaller cities compared to larger cities. First, in larger cities fewer people on average own a car — and even if they do, tend to rely more on public transportation, which is often an option after having had a little too much to drink. Also, let’s be honest, it is just harder to get pulled over for DUI/DWI on busy city streets (slow moving traffic, very frequent stops for traffic signals) than it is on a lonely country highway.
So, what does that mean for North Carolina? Well, aggressive DUI/DWI enforcement and most people living outside of very large cities — First in Flight — Fourth in DUI arrests.
Contact a Raleigh DUI lawyer
If you or a friend or relative has been arrested for DUI in the Raleigh, North Carolina area, you should contact a Raleigh DUI lawyer right away.