ALLENTOWN PA DRUNK DRIVER
 In the year 2001, there were 1,530 traffic deaths in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. 45% of these deaths were alcohol related accidents. In Pennsylvania the current blood alcohol content limit is .08. A 175 pound man would have to drink approximately 4 alcoholic beverages in one hour to reach a blood alcohol level of .08.

Impaired-driving cases reached approximately 1,750, marking a 42% increase over the past five years. pa.gov. lehighvalleynews.com. lehighcounty.org
Among these, marijuana-related DUIs are rising, with many charges filed if “active metabolites” are present—meaning the driver was likely impaired at the time. lehighvalleynews.com
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Allentown Specifics

Allentown, as the county seat, contributes significantly to these figures, with many DUI defendants processed through its courts. ucr.pa.gov. lehighvalleynews.com

The Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) program is a common diversion path for first (and some second) DUI offenses in Allentown. Many offenders avoid jail time by completing license suspension, safety classes, fines, and treatment programs
pennsylvaniacourtrecords.us.
lehighvalleynews.com. myeastonattorney.com. High-BAC cases (0.16+ blood alcohol) and repeat offenders are notably on the rise. cordiscosaile.com. lehighvalleynews.com

Broader Regional Trends

Between 2014 and 2023, there were nearly 200 impaired-driving deaths in the entire Lehigh Valley (Lehigh + Northampton Counties). lehighvalleynews.com
State-wide, alcohol-related crashes comprised ~30% of all traffic fatalities. In 2023 alone, 8,337 crashes in Pennsylvania involved a drunk driver, with 288 fatal alcohol-related crashes
cordiscosaile.com

Insights

DUI surge: There is a +42% increase in impaired-driving cases in Allentown,

Summary

Lehigh County—and Allentown specifically—has seen a notable rise in DUI cases, with a 2024 total of about 1,750 incidents and growing marijuana-related DUI charges. When is a driver considered to be legally drunk in Pennsylvania?

  • Non-commercial drivers age 21+ are considered legally drunk when

  • their blood alcohol level is .08 or more.

  • Drivers of commercial vehicles are legally drunk when their blood alcohol concentration is .04 percent or greater.

  • School bus drivers are legally drunk when their blood alcohol level is .02 or more.

  • Drivers under 21 are legally drunk when their blood alcohol concentration is .02 or more.


If you or a loved one was involved in an Allentown PA accident involving a drunk driver or a Lehigh County accident involving a DUI driver, it is important to protect your legal rights.  Review the "10 Rules to follow if you are in an accident" instructions provided.  Then call an Allentown PA injury lawyer and Allentown PA accident attorney whose firm handles Lehigh County accidents caused by drunk drivers involving serious injuries to innocent victims.


KNAFO LAW OFFICES 4201 Tilghman St. Allentown, PA 18104 (610) 432-2221