A new US study has been released which indicates that BMW drivers have the highest DUI rates. This is fascinating to us because we monitor trends with respect to impaired driving and vehicle types. This study is from the United States. There are no such studies in Canada, as far as we know, but it makes sense that the trends would apply here as well.
The study says the BMW drivers have the highest DUI rates at 3.13 DUIs per thousand drivers over a fixed, consistent period. The study was conducted by an insurance company. It is probably useful for them when they determine insurance rates. What is interesting to us is why it would be so? In other words, what are the reasons that BMW drivers are more likely to end up with a DUI?
Conclusions that we draw as we consider this invariably paint with a big brush. BMW drivers have been the subject of scorn over the years and stereotypes have been formed. BMW chooses to position itself as a manufacturer of performance cars. People who buy BMWs are often enthusiasts, who are excited about the idea of driving their cars. Their car may be a focus in their life. But it may be as simple as an issue of recognition on the road. In other words, it may simply be that police officers are more likely to see a BMW and to stop a BMW for a traffic infraction.
Targeting BMWs?
Many DUI cases start with a speeding offence. If BMWs are being targeted for speeding enforcement, it could simply be that more of their drivers are found to be driving impaired and other drivers are able to slide by and get away with it because the police are not pulling them over for speeding. Now, a previous study indicated that drivers of Dodge pickup trucks were the most likely to commit DUIs in the United States. In our observation this holds true in British Columbia.
We have conducted no studies but when we learned of the U.S. statistics with respect to Dodge trucks and DUIs, we started to pay attention. We defend Immediate Roadside Prohibitions from all around BC and we’ve read thousands of IRP police reports. We noted that if there was one vehicle more likely to be involved in an impaired driving investigation, it was a Dodge truck. Dodge truck drivers are more likely to be issued a 90-day IRP.
Dodge trucks and DUIs in BC
Again, like the analysis of BMW drivers and their DUIs, there are other considerations. Dodge trucks are ubiquitous particularly in rural BC. The moment you get out of Vancouver, perhaps 10% of the vehicles are Dodge trucks. There are good reasons for that.
Dodge trucks with Cummins engines seem to last a long time. They are good in all sorts of weather. They’re durable. They hold their resale value after the initial depreciation. If you have an old Dodge truck, it’s probably worth more now than it was shortly after you bought it. So the fact that there are so many Dodge trucks on the road in British Columbia may be the issue.
When it comes to new Dodge trucks, the marketing is focused on young male buyers. The marketing also suggests that a new Dodge truck provides the owner with greater freedom. This is a common advertising technique. It is quite effective. The suggestion, however, is that owning such a truck provides you with freedom from responsibility, including the responsibility to be sober. We noted that police in many rural communities will watch Dodge trucks in the parking lots of bars, targeting when the owners drive away. Many BC drivers have been issued 90-day Immediate Roadside Prohibitions having been targeted this way.
This recent study still identified Dodge truck owners in the US as the second most likely vehicles to be involved in a DUI incident. Unsurprisingly, Volvo drivers were among the least likely to be investigated or charged with drinking and driving.
Tesla drivers are accident causers
Another fascinating aspect of this study is that Tesla drivers were found to be the second worst drivers in the U.S. with 31.13 incidents (accidents) per 1000 drivers over the period studied.
There is much to consider when it comes to Teslas. These vehicles have all sorts of features designed to avoid collisions. But they’re fast. The acceleration is remarkable. Drivers of Teslas are known to rely on the self-driving features of their vehicles, and consequently they seem to be less likely to be paying attention to their duties as a driver.
The study does not say whether the accidents are severe. Tesla’s safety record is known to be good.
Subaru Enigma
The study also comments on Subaru, which many may find unexpected. When it comes to Subaru, we have noticed patterns that are fully dependent on the model. Subaru has a range of vehicles including family transporters and sporty high performance 2-door cars. In the end it seems to come down to who is purchasing the high performance sporty 2 door cars.
Many young men purchased these vehicles because of their particular performance attributes. They are, simply put, road rockets. Although you may be capable of painting with the big brush concerning BMWs and BMW drivers, this type of analysis falls apart when it comes to Subaru because the models appeal to different demographics.
Police targeting brands or models
Strategies for policing, whether conscious or unconscious, are likely a significant contributor or feature of why certain vehicles are stopped. For example, if a police officer stops a Dodge pickup and it becomes an impaired driving investigation, that police officer may be more likely to stop another Dodge pickup. If a police officer sees a BMW speeding, stops that vehicle and gives them a speeding ticket, that police officer may be more likely to stop the next BMW they see speeding rather than the Volvo that may be driving right beside them.
Vehicle choice may make you a target
In the end, your vehicle choice may affect whether or not you are targeted by the police because of conscious or unconscious bias. Some police officers looking at these studies, may simply decide to pull over people who are driving Dodge trucks or BMWs. In Canada the police cannot discriminate against you based on ethnicity, gender, skin tone or many other attributes. The type of vehicle you drive, however, is not one of those attributes. In other words, if a police officer decides just to pull over Dodge trucks, BMWs or Subaru sports cars, it is probable that this would be considered acceptable by the courts. It may not be preferable, but it is not discrimination to stop vehicles for license and sobriety checks, on the basis of the vehicle brand or model.
If you drive a Dodge truck or a BMW, you are now forewarned. Take care on the roads. If the police pull you over for a DUI investigation or some other matter give us a call. We have defended all sorts of driving cases for decades. Would be happy to help.