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Americas drunk driving problem goes beyond who drives

A new analysis links car brand ownership to DUI citation rates in Americas 50 largest cities.
BMW, RAM, and Acura drivers top the list for DUI involvement, but regional culture shapes who gets caught.
The findings suggest that drunk driving behavior is as much about identity and geography as it is about alcohol.

A new dataset from Suzuki Law Offices connects DUI citation rates across the 50 largest U.S. cities with vehicle brand ownership, revealing deep cultural and regional patterns that reflect not just road safety, but lifestyle, identity, and enforcement gaps.

The study found that car brand choice can serve as a proxy for risk behavior one that varies dramatically across regions, and even within the same state.

The brands most linked to DUIs

Across all major metros, BMW, RAM, and Acura drivers lead DUI citation rates, with 3.09, 3.00, and 2.69 citations per 1,000 licensed drivers, respectively. But regional breakdowns reveal sharp contrasts:

At the other end of the scale, Mercury, Lincoln, and Land Rover drivers rank among the least likely to receive DUI citationseach under 0.8 per 1,000.

The implication: cultural and economic differences in how Americans use their vehicles play a major role in shaping DUI risk. Pickup-heavy states such as Texas, Oklahoma, and Florida show strong correlations between RAM or Ford ownership and DUI incidence, while luxury import-heavy metros like California and New York see risk concentrated around leisure driving and nightlife districts.

Regional identity and risk

The data aligns with broader national research:

• Southern states report 37% higher binge drinking prevalence among male drivers than the national median (CDC, 2024).

• Western states show higher DUI arrest rates despite lower self-reported heavy drinking, suggesting stronger enforcement but riskier weekend behavior.

• The Midwestespecially Nebraska, Wisconsin, and Minnesotaleads in alcohol-involved crash fatalities (6.3 per 100,000 residents), even with widespread sobriety checkpoints.

Together, the numbers paint a picture of a drunk driving problem deeply intertwined with car culture, geography, and uneven enforcement.

When the vehicle reflects the driver

Certain car brands appear to mirror their owners psychology and usage patterns. Performance models such as BMW, Dodge Charger, and Infiniti show 42% higher DUI involvement relative to their registration share, while pickup trucks and SUVs dominate rural and suburban DUI crashes tied to longer travel distances and fewer rideshare options.

Luxury sedans and sports coupes, meanwhile, account for the bulk of urban nighttime arrests near entertainment zones.

Studies from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety back this up: vehicle type strongly correlates with speeding, night driving, and seatbelt neglectbehaviors that often accompany impaired driving.

Car brands and enforcement disparity

According to NHTSAs 2024 Enforcement Trends Report, DUI patrol allocation varies sharply across regionsup to 40% fewer saturation patrols in suburban areas compared to urban cores.

That matters because vehicle types arent evenly distributed. RAM and GMC trucks make up 28% of suburban registrations, where patrol coverage lags, while BMW and Acura owners dominate metro centers where patrols are frequent but predictable.

As one highway safety researcher put it:

We see DUIs cluster where enforcement can find them, not always where theyre happening.

A cultural divide on four wheels

Cultural norms and local economies shape how and where DUI risks manifest:

• In oil and agricultural states, 53% of alcohol-related crashes occur on rural two-lane roads.

• In tech and entertainment hubs, 68% of DUI citations occur within five miles of nightlife zones.

• In college towns, compact car ownership correlates with underage DUI arrests, especially in Arizona, Colorado, and Ohio.

As Suzuki Law researchers summarize:

Car brands can tell us as much about driving risk as income or age. Theyre cultural signifiers of how, when, and why people drinkand how often they think theyll get caught.

Policy and liability implications

The legal and financial ripple effects are mounting:

• Insurers are incorporating vehicle-type DUI risk into pricing, adding up to 15% premium hikes for some brands.

• Fleet operators face growing exposure if company vehicles fall into high-risk categories.

• Courts in states such as Texas and Florida are factoring vehicle use patterns into civil negligence cases involving DUI injuries.

These trends suggest DUI liability is expanding beyond the driverimplicating corporations, insurers, and even community infrastructure.

The economic and social cost

Alcohol-impaired driving costs the U.S. about $44 billion a year, according to the CDC. But crash costs vary by vehicle type:

• Luxury car DUIs carry 32% higher repair costs than average.

• Pickup DUIs result in 15% higher property loss claims due to vehicle mass and impact force.

• In 2024, urban alcohol-involved crashes caused $6.7 billion in damages, concentrated in metros with heavy BMW and RAM ownership.

The takeaway

The kind of car Americans drive, the regions they live in, and the roads they use all combine to form a predictable geography of impairment.

Suzuki Laws findings hint at the next frontier in DUI preventionnot just tougher laws or more patrols, but a deeper look at how car culture itself shapes risk.

How to protect yourself from impaired drivers

1. Spot the signs early.
Weaving between lanes, inconsistent speed, delayed reaction at lights, or drifting onto shoulders are classic indicators of impaired driving. Keep distanceat least five seconds of following time.

2. Avoid closing the gap.
If a driver appears erratic, do not try to pass or teach them a lesson. Pull back and let them move ahead. Many DUI-related crashes occur when sober drivers react aggressively or unpredictably.

3. Use route awareness.
Weekend nights, holidays, and early-morning commute hours after major events see spikes in DUI activity. Plan alternate routes that bypass nightlife zones, bar corridors, or major stadium exits.

4. Report dangerous behavior.
If you suspect an impaired driver, note the vehicles make, color, and direction. Pull over safely before calling 911. Law enforcement relies heavily on civilian reports for DUI interventions.

5. Reassess your own risks.
Fatigue, medications, and small amounts of alcohol all degrade reaction time. If youre unsure, wait, hydrate, or use a rideshare. Even a low BAC can mean impaired judgment behind the wheel.

Bottom line:
DUI risk isnt confined to one region or vehicle typeits everywhere. The best defense is distance, awareness, and restraint.

The company said it is acting out of abundance of caution

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• ByHeart voluntarily recalls two batches of Whole Nutrition Infant Formula amid an FDA investigation into a nationwide outbreak of infant botulism.

• No ByHeart products have tested positive for contamination, and the FDA has not found a direct link between any infant formula and the reported cases.

• The company says the recall is a precautionary measure driven by transparency and its commitment to infant safety.

ByHeart, a baby nutrition company, is recalling two batches of its Whole Nutrition Infant Formula after being notified by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of an ongoing investigation into a national outbreak of infant botulism.

The recall, issued out of an abundance of caution, affects two specific production batches 251261P2 and 251131P2, both with a Use By date of December 1, 2026. No other batches are impacted.

The company emphasized that no ByHeart formula has tested positive for Clostridium botulinum spores or toxins, and the FDA has not established any link between infant formula and the reported illnesses.

The FDA informed ByHeart on last week that approximately 83 cases of infant botulism had been reported across the U.S. since August. Of those, 13 infants had consumed ByHeart formula at some point. However, officials clarified that there is no historical precedent of infant formula causing infant botulism.

Rare, but serious

Botulism in infants, though rare, is a serious and potentially fatal illness that occurs when Clostridium botulinum spores colonize an infants intestinal tract, producing neurotoxins. Symptoms can include constipation, weak muscle tone, drooping eyelids, difficulty feeding or swallowing, a weak cry, and in severe cases, respiratory distress or arrest.

The bacteria are typically found in environmental sources such as soil, dust, and certain vegetables, not dairy-based products or infant formula.

The safety and well-being of every infant who uses our formula is our absolute highest priority, said Mia Funt, ByHearts co-founder and president. We take any potential safety concern extremely seriously, and act quickly to protect families. This voluntary recall is out of an abundance of caution and comes from our ongoing commitment to transparency and safety for babies and their parents.

Funt stressed that no testing by ByHeart or any regulatory agency has confirmed contamination in its products. The recall, she said, reflects the companys proactive stance on infant health rather than a confirmed safety breach.

What parents should do

The company said consumers who purchased ByHeart formula from the affected batches should stop using the product immediately and dispose of it safely. ByHeart has pledged to replace any discarded cans at no cost.

Parents whose infants exhibit symptoms of botulism should contact a healthcare provider right away. To report illness or an adverse event, consumers can:

• Call an FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinator

• File an electronic MedWatch form online, or

• Submit a paper MedWatch report by mail.

Customers can reach ByHearts 24/7 support line at 1-833-429-4327 or email hello@byheart.com for assistance. More information is available at byheart.com.

The proposal is aimed at making it easier to purchase a home

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• The Donald Trump administration is considering introducing 50-year fixed-rate mortgages as a new tool to boost homeownership by lowering monthly payments for buyers.

• Proponents argue the extended term would make monthly cost more manageable for first-time and budget-constrained buyers, but critics warn it effectively locks borrowers in debt far longer and raises total interest costs.

• While no legislation has yet been finalized, key regulators and housing industry stakeholders are said to be weighing the proposal amid concerns over financial risk, housing affordability and inter-generational impact.

In a move aimed at reshaping the U.S. housing market, the Trump administration is exploring a radical expansion of home-loan terms: offering fixed-rate mortgages that stretch 50 years instead of the conventional 15 or 30 years.

The proposal, still in its early conceptual phase but confirmed over the weekend by Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte, is being pitched as a solution to rising housing costs and stagnant homeownership rates especially among younger households.

Whats being proposed

Under the contemplated plan, federally backed or insured mortgages might allow borrowers to spread repayment over five decades. The objective is clear: reduce monthly payments by spreading principal and interest over a much longer timeline. Lower monthly outlay, advocates say, could make homeownership more attainable for households stretched by high inflation, student-loan burdens and increasing rents.

While the federal government has backed longer-term mortgages in the past in limited form, a full-scale 50-year term would represent a major departure. The administration has asked regulators and housing finance agencies to assess the operational, credit-risk and consumer-protection implications of such a program.

Why the push now

Housing affordability remains a major challenge. Median home prices in many markets remain elevated, mortgage rates are higher than last decades lows, and young adults are delaying homebuying. The idea behind 50-year mortgages is to make a home purchase look more affordable month to month, potentially getting more buyers into the market.

A longer term means smaller monthly amortization of principal and interest. at least initially. By lowering one of the key barriers to entry, namely high monthly payments, the policy would aim to expand access. Officials familiar with the idea say it is being promoted as part of a broader housing-strategy initiative under the Trump administration, alongside regulatory reforms and housing-supply measures.

However, housing analysts and consumer advocates are sounding alarms. Chief among the concerns is the amount of interest that would be paid over a 50-year term.

However, housing data show that the average time a homeowner lives in a house is between eight and 12 years. Housing analysts note that while 50-year loans may ease the monthly burden, they do not reduce the principal or overall homecost burden, they only shift it.

The chain is targeting underperforming units to boost profitability

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• The fast-food chain Wendys says it will shutter a mid-single-digit percentage of its U.S. units roughly 200-350 restaurants by end of 2025 and into 2026.

• The closures target underperforming stores that do not elevate the brand and drag down franchisee profitability; the company says this will free up resources for higher-performing locations.

• At the same time, Wendys is still opening new locations globally and backing a broader strategy of brand refresh and operational upgrades to stay competitive amid soft consumer spending.

Wendys is shrinking its footprint. During an investor call, interim CEO Ken Cook disclosed that the company plans to eliminate a significant number of its U.S. restaurants on the order of 200 to 350 units as the company reevaluates its portfolio and focuses on long-term profitability.

The closures will begin later this year and continue through 2026. The company operates approximately 6,000 U.S. locations, making the move equivalent to a mid single-digit percentage of its domestic units.

According to Cook, the restaurants marked for closure share some common features: below-average sales volumes, obsolete designs, weak trade areas, and generally failing to meet the companys brand expectations.

Franchisee economics appear to be a central concern. The chain notes that some units are a drag from a franchisee financial performance perspective, and by removing these weaker links the company hopes to reinvest in better-performing sites, better locations, and updated formats.

Also flagged: macroeconomic headwinds. Sluggish customer traffic, rising food and labor costs, and shifting consumer dining habits are contributing to the companys urgency to optimize.

What it means for the company

While the closures are a contraction in footprint, Wendys said it is not abandoning growth. The company is actively opening new restaurants globally and expects to continue expansion outside the U.S. Additionally, the business is investing in technology, remodels, and franchisee supportthese moves are part of a broader initiative dubbed Project Fresh internally.

Essentially, the path forward is: prune the weakest units, reinvest in the strongest, and pursue newer formats and international growth. In effect, the net-unit count may remain flat (or only modestly grow) but the aim is to lift profitability per unit and system-wide health.

Implications

• For consumers: Some local Wendys restaurants may close or discontinue operations sooner than expected; patrons in certain trade-areas may need to travel farther for a Wendys.

• For franchisees: Those operating underperforming sites may face closures or forced transitions; stronger franchisees may benefit from redistributed investment.

• For investors: The announcement sends a message that the company is shifting from growth-at-all-costs to selective optimization. That could appeal to shareholders focused on profitability rather than just unit count.

• For competitors: Wendys contraction in weaker markets may create openings for rivals to gain share in those same areas, while Wendys focuses on higher-ROI sites.

Eight Senate Democrats have joined Republicans to break the filibuster

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• The 2025 United States federal government shutdown, now in its 40-plus days and the longest in U.S. history, appears to be nearing resolution after the United States Senate advanced a funding deal that secured 60 votes.

• The deal would fund the government through January 30, 2026 and reinstate federal workers who were laid off, but it does not immediately resolve the much-fought issue of extending premium subsidies under the Affordable Care Act marketplacesa sticking point for many Democrats.

• Even in the event that the deal becomes law, the shutdowns ripple effects are being felt across critical services: tens of thousands of flight cancellations and delays, major disruptions to food assistance programs, and scientific research furloughed or delayed.

The longest U.S. government shutdown in history may be ending. Eight Senate Democrats joined all Republicans in the chamber on a procedural vote to break the filibuster that had prevented a vote to pass a continuing resolution that contains no other spending provisions.

The government shutdown began on October 1, 2025 after Congress failed to enact appropriations legislation for the fiscal year. The core point of contention was whether to extend enhanced marketplace premium subsidies under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which Democrats insisted upon and which Republicans resisted.

The breakdown in negotiations triggered furloughs of hundreds of thousands of federal employees and forced many agencies to curtail operations or close altogether. By last week, it had also begun to impact air travel.

Whats in the deal

On Sunday, the Senate narrowly approved a continuing resolution and omnibus package that would:

• Authorize funding for federal agencies and departments until January 30, 2026.

• Reinstate federal employees who were laid off during the shutdown and guarantee back-pay for furloughed workers.

• Include full-year appropriations for key sectors (including Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, military construction).

• Promise a vote by mid-December on extending the ACA premium subsidiesbut with no guarantee of passage and no assurance from the United States House of Representatives that the measure will be brought to the floor.

However, the deal still faces hurdles in the House and then needs to be signed by the President to take effect. The House is currently on recess and political resistance remains sizable on both sides.

Impacts for consumers

Air Travel:

With the shutdown dragging on, staffing shortages in air-traffic control have forced the Federal Aviation Administration to cut flight operations. More than 2,700 flights were cancelled and 10,000 + delayed on a single day. For travelers, this means potentially major delays, cancellations, and uncertainty creeping into holiday travel plans.

In a move that extended the shutdown pain to the most wealthy, the FAA today began barring private aircraft at 12 of the nation's largest airports.

Food assistance and benefit programs:

The shutdown interrupted funding for critical food-assistance programs. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which serves some 42 million Americans, was ordered by the administration to reduce payments to roughly 65% of typical benefit levels, pending congressional action. States face pressure and legal battles over distribution.

For consumers who rely on these benefits, this means increased food insecurity and strain on local food banks or nonprofits.

Science, research and education:

Research funding, grant reviews, and agency operations have been delayed. For example, the National Institutes of Health and other scientific agencies are projecting recovery will take longer than the shutdown itself.

For families, students, and researchers, this results in uncertainty in university funding, scholarship administration and potentially slowed innovation.

What to watch

• Monitor the House vote: The Senate deal is just one step. If the House fails to approve funding, the shutdown could stretch further despite Senate action.

• Air travel planning: If you have flights booked, monitor airlines closely, consider flexible tickets, and be prepared for delays or changes even after a deal is struck because recovery will not be immediate.

• Check benefits eligibility and timing: For those on programs like SNAP, WIC, or other federal assistance, check with your states agency for updates on benefit amounts and timing. Unexpected cuts may arrive before full funding is restored.

• Be aware of lagging effects: Even when government funding resumes, agencies will take time to restart full operations. Expect slower approval processes, delayed announcements, and potential backlog in services.

• Political risk for future budgeting: Note that this deal is only a stop-gap through January 30. With a key issue (ACA subsidies) unresolved, another budget impasse remains possible. Consumers should remain vigilant about the risk of repetition.

What it means for you

For most consumers, government shutdowns may seem distant, but the ripple effects reach into everyday life: from flights being delayed to food-assistance benefits shrinking, from research being delayed to a backlog in federal services.

If the deal passes and the government reopens, relief will follow, but not overnight. Some services may still lag for weeks or months, and some benefits may be reduced or delayed in the interim.