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DWI Among Women Jumps 29%

As of 2004, 20% of all arrests were of females

By Polly Davis Doig,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 7, 2011 8:36 AM CST

(Newser) The career of ex-FAA chief Randy Babbitt might be the latest casualty of a drunken-driving arrest, but a new report shows that DWI has an increasingly female face. The number of women arrested on suspicion of DWI shot up 29% between 1998 and 2007—up from making up only 9% of all arrests 30 years ago to 20% by 2004. And as the Washington Post notes, female drunk drivers are older and more educated, but earn less than men who are busted. Perhaps most tellingly, however: They're likely the primary caregivers to children, leading blogger Janine D'Arcy to wonder if "mothering and drinking may be a more common problem than we realize." The summary of the report by the Traffic Injury Research Foundation is here (PDF).

Trooper David Casillas, from the Florida Highway Patrol, talks to a driver at a DUI checkpoint December 15, 2006 in Miami.
Trooper David Casillas, from the Florida Highway Patrol, talks to a driver at a DUI checkpoint December 15, 2006 in Miami.   (Getty Images)
Officer Kevin Millan from the City of Miami Beach police department arrests a woman after she failed a field sobriety test at a DUI checkpoint December 15, 2006 in Miami.
Officer Kevin Millan from the City of Miami Beach police department arrests a woman after she failed a field sobriety test at a DUI checkpoint December 15, 2006 in Miami.   (Getty Images)
Officer Kevin Millan from the City of Miami Beach police department arrests a woman after she failed a field sobriety test, December 15, 2006.
Officer Kevin Millan from the City of Miami Beach police department arrests a woman after she failed a field sobriety test, December 15, 2006.   (Getty Images)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 4 comments
b1izzard
Dec 7, 2011 2:34 PM CST
"mothering and drinking may be a more common problem than we realize." Based upon what? Just her speculation? I will go one further. Women feel less safe taking public transportation home. That is every bit as logical as hers and no more backed by facts. The problem is that my conclusion has no agenda. 
LoginsSuck
Dec 7, 2011 12:46 PM CST
I guess Lindsey Lohan is out of jail again.
TerryMitchell
Dec 7, 2011 9:01 AM CST
I was rear ended by a 28 yr. old female who was drunk at 6am on a small state road in Texas. I was injured with a torn rotator cuff (Seat belt caused this) and 7 compressed vertebrae, she was arrested. This basically ruined my life and future plans. She got a good Atty. and the dropped the charges down to inattentive driving. This was 3 years ago. my life is still ruined and I have NEVER received compensation for this! Drunk drivers may go to jail but if they have $$$$ they can get away with murder!! I had to wear a back brace for 4 months!
 

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