Between 1995 and 2013, drugs and alcohol were involved in 26% of all fatal car accidents, claiming 267,598 lives, according to a new study by Florida drug publication, DrugTreatment.com.
The group recently analyzed that 18-year span using data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to determine where substance abuse plays a significant role in fatal car accidents.
Here's what DrugTreatment.com found:
In South Dakota, 22 fatal car accidents (at least one person killed) involved a legally drunk driver for every 100,000 residents — the most of any state in the nation.
In North Dakota, 8 fatal car accidents (at least one person killed) involved a driver under the influence of drugs for every 100,000 residents — also the most of any state in the nation.
This chart shows the top five counties in America with the most fatalities due to car accidents by motorists under the influence of alcohol and various types of drugs.
Here's a breakdown of the most commonly detected drug in every county for drivers involved in fatal car accidents.
Cannabinoids overwhelm the Northeast and parts of the Midwest, while stimulants have a clear lead on the West Coast.
SEE ALSO: This map shows what causes the most fatal car crashes in each US state
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