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Texas ranked 3rd worst state for drunk driving in sobering new report

Don't drink and drive, Texas.

Texans have no doubt seen the Department of Transportation's highway billboards during the holiday season warning: "Drink, drive, go to jail." Texas drivers need to heed that warning – the Lone Star State was recently ranked the third worst state for drunk driving in 2023.

The report by Forbes Advisor revealed Texas' troubling statistics regarding drunk drivers involved in fatal crashes. According to Forbes' data, 42.37 percent of all traffic deaths in Texas are caused by drunk drivers. The state also had the third-highest rate of underage drunk drivers involved in fatal car crashes: 0.94 per 100,000 licensed drivers.

There are nearly 340 DUI arrests made per 100,000 licensed drivers in Texas, and five people are killed in car crashes involving a drunk driver for less than every 100,000 Texans, according to the report.

"Despite widespread efforts by the federal government to educate the public on the dangers of drunk driving, far too many people continue to ignore the trend," the report's author wrote.

Texans who want to avoid a DUI charge this holiday season should consider carpooling with a designated driver, taking public transportation when accessible, or using a rideshare service.

Four of the top 10 worst states for drunk driving are not in the South, but in the West. Montana topped the list as the worst state for drunk driving, with the highest rates of drunk drivers involved in fatal crashes for every 100,000 licensed drivers, and for the number of people killed in crashes involving a drunk driver.

The top 10 worst states for drunk driving in 2023 are:

No. 1 – Montana
No. 2 – South Dakota
No. 3 – Texas
No. 4 – Wyoming
No. 5 – North Dakota
No. 6 – Oregon
No. 7 – New Mexico
No. 8 – South Carolina
No. 9 – Missouri
No. 10 – Oklahoma

In the report's analysis of the states with the lowest rates of drunk driving, six out of the top 10 are located in the Northeast: New Jersey, Delaware, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, and Vermont.

Forbes Advisor ranked all 50 states across six metrics, including the number of DUI arrests per 100,000 licensed drivers, the percentage of total traffic deaths caused by drivers with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08 or higher, and more. The statistics were compiled using the most recent data from the National Highways Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the NHTSA's Fatality and Injury Reporting System Tool (FIRST), and the Department of Transportation.

The full report and its methodology can be found on forbes.com.

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sustainability news

Airbnb pledges over $1 million to improve Houston before World Cup

Jerry Davis, Julian Ramirez, Laura Spanjian, Chris Canetti, and DaMarcus Beasley at the Airbnb press conference Tuesday., December 2, 2025.

Photo courtesy of Airbnb

From left to right, Jerry Davis, Julian Ramirez, Laura Spanjian, Chris Canetti, and DaMarcus Beasley at the Airbnb press conference Tuesday.

According to a Deloitte study commissioned by short-term rental company Airbnb, roughly 30,000 people are expected to stay in Airbnb properties during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. With that in mind, the company has pledged over $1 million to various improvement projects in Houston as part of their Host City Impact Program.

“Hosting a global event like the FIFA World Cup in Houston is a generational opportunity for our city," said Chris Canetti, president, FIFA World Cup 26 Houston Host Committee at a press conference on Tuesday, December 2. "It’s so much more than a game — it’s about honoring our city and the people that make it great. In Houston, we’re proud to be working together with Airbnb to ensure these benefits are felt far beyond the games, investing in projects that will leave our city better off for generations to come.”

The $5 million Host City Impact Program is a partnership between Airbnb and FIFA to foster community spaces in places that host events like the World Cup. In Houston, their contribution will go toward two major projects.

First, the Green Corridor, an ambitious 14-mile sustainable transit loop that will connect the FIFA Fan Festival in East Downtown (EaDo) and NRG Stadium where the game will be held, as well as meandering through various neighborhoods. Not to be confused with the Green Loop project, this pedestrian path will feature interactive maps, water refilling stations, and shaded walkways that will hopefully reduce traffic congestion around the World Cup by promoting walking spaces.

The second project is Grow the Game, an initiative to renovate soccer fields and increase access to play across the city, particularly in underserved neighborhoods. It will also fund youth tournaments and clinics.

"Hosting the FIFA World Cup 2026 is a historic milestone for Houston, and as leaders from the private and public sectors, we have a unique opportunity to partner and ensure its benefits reach every corner of our city," added Houston City Councilmember At-Large Julian Ramirez. "Projects like the Green Corridor will make Houston more accessible and inviting, connecting neighborhoods and expanding green spaces for all. At the same time, initiatives like Grow the Game will give local kids the chance to get on the field, build skills, and be part of something special. With Airbnb’s investment, we can create a legacy that makes Houston more desirable, equitable, and vibrant for all.”

As the World Cup nears, the Greater Houston Area is undergoing several different transformations. In addition to the Green Corridor, Sugar Land opened a Social District last month to make it easier for visitors to party in the city's Town Square district.

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