Economic cost due to drunk driving

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According to Department of Transportation estimates, alcohol-related crashes cost Wisconsin over $500 million in 2000. This represents about 19% of the estimated total economic loss in Wisconsin due to motor vehicle crashes.

Economic loss is determined using national cost estimates obtained from the National Safety Council.

Figures used to calculate the 2000 economic loss are the 1999 National Safety Council estimates plus 2.4% to account for inflation:

Fatality	$993,300
Incapacitating injury	$46,900
Non-incapacitating injury	$15,700
Possible injury	$8,900
Property damage	$6,600

In 1998, alcohol was cited as a contributing factor in 16% of motor vehicle crashes that resulted in hospitalization in Wisconsin.

During that year, alcohol-related crashes accounted for more than $11 million in hospital charges alone. This figure does not include the physician charges for hospital care or any medical care that occurred after the patient left the hospital.

Economic loss from motor vehicle crashes: $2,147 million other crashes, $512 million alcohol-related crashes

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