Sacramento found to have highest DUI rate in California

(FOX40.COM) — Sacramento has received a startling ranking as the capital city finds itself among the top five largest U.S. cities with the highest DUI rate, according to a study from Lending Tree.

The study looked at the DUI rates across 50 of the largest cities across the country and found that Sacramento outranks Los Angeles, San Diego and Oakland when it comes to the amount of DUI drivers.

For every 1,000 drivers in Sacramento, 1.31 have been found to be under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol, according to the study.

The next highest city is Raleigh, North Carolina at 1.46 DUI’s per 1,000 drivers.

California cities account for eight of the top ten positions including:
• Los Angeles
• San Jose
• Bakersfield
• Fresno
• San Diego
• Long Beach
• and Oakland

Insurance agent Rob Bhatt speculates that California’s climate may lead to people going out and consuming alcohol more frequently than other areas of the county.

He also supposes that greater vigilance and level of enforcement by law enforcement could drive these higher numbers.

On Aug. 24, police departments, sheriff’s offices and California Highway Patrol stations across the state participated in Saturation Saturday which focuses on detecting intoxicated drivers.

According to the State of California, a teen’s first-time DUI can result in $5,400 in upfront fines and fees, insurance increases of $40,000 over 13 years, one-year license suspension, jail time and more.

Those 21 and older can expect, mandatory jail time, thousands in fines and fees, suspension or revocation of your driver’s license, restricted driving, the requirement of an ignition interlock device and possible lifetime imprisonment in the event of a death.

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