ILLINOIS STATISTICS RELATED TO FATAL MOTOR VEHICLE AND ALCOHOL RELATED AUTO ACCIDENTS
Illinois Motor Vehicle Accident and Drunk Driving Statistics
Illinois Fatal Crash Data for 2008:
The fatality data provided below is provisional and is based on information submitted to IDOT for fatal crashes occurring on all roadways within the state. 
The data is updated as information is received from various agencies throughout the state.
Fatal Crashes 930
Fatalities 1017
Fatalities Last Year to Date 1238
Change - 221
*Alcohol-Related Fatal Crashes and Fatalities: Reported information showed some indication of alcohol use in relation to the crash. The data may change as alcohol test results are received.
Alcohol-Related Fatal Crashes 276
Alcohol-Related Fatalities 304
Restraint Usage: Data does not include fatalities where restraint usage was unknown. (Example: an emergency rescue team arrives before the police, and usage is not reported.)
Restraint Used 287
Restraint Not Used or Used Improperly 325
Driver Licensing: Fatal crashes where driver(s), either surviving or deceased, did not have a valid driver's license at the time of the crash. Data includes drivers who were unlicensed, suspended, revoked, expired, cancelled or denied.
Unlicensed Drivers 184
Highway and Traffic Safety Information
Alcohol Related Crashes
Illinois, like all 50 states in the US, applies two statutory offenses to operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. The first (and original) offense is known either as driving under the influence (DUI), driving while intoxicated/impaired (DWI), or operating while intoxicated/impaired (OWI). This is based upon a police officer's observations (driving behavior, slurred speech, the results of a roadside sobriety test, etc.)
The second offense is called "illegal per se", which is driving with a BAC of 0.08% or higher. Since 2002 it has been illegal in all 50 states to drive with a BAC that is 0.08% or higher.
In Illinois, the highest number of alcohol related fatalities and the highest percentage of total fatalities as drunk driving deaths both occurred the same year, which was 1982. Since that time, the percentage and the actual number of alcohol related deaths has decreased substantially. In 2006, out of all traffic fatalities, 35% involved a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 or higher.
ILLINOIS DRUNK DRIVING STATISTICS
It is important to note that the Illinois drunk driving statistics, as in the link above, include data from individuals who were in an alcohol-related crash, but not driving a motor vehicle at the time. The U.S. Department of Transportation defines alcohol-related deaths as "fatalities that occur in crashes where at least one driver or non-occupant (pedestrian or pedalcyclist) involved in the crash has a positive Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) value."
Criminal status of DUI laws in Illinois
In Illinois, 1st and 2nd offenses are class A misdemeanors, 3rd and subsequent offenses are class 4 felonies. Citation:625 ILCS 5/11-501 and 730 ILCS 5/5-8-1(a)(7) & 5-8-3 (a)(1) (2)
Sources for Illinois drunk driving information and statistics
US Dept. of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 12/02
(2) National Conference of State Legislatures, 2004
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