More women are driving under the influence of alcohol in the US, according to a new study.

The study was been released by US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood while kicking off a nationwide anti-drunk driving enforcement campaign.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) study shows an increase in the number of alcohol-impaired female drivers involved in fatal crashes in 2008 compared to 2007.

The study also shows that despite an overall 9% decline in all drunk driver crashes from 2007 to 2008, the number of drunk women drivers involved in fatal crashes increased in ten US states.

The overall road fatalities involving an impaired female driver averages to 2,000 a year.

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said that this is a very disturbing trend.

“Impaired driving is an issue that cuts across all segments of society and, sadly, the number of arrests of women driving under the influence is on the rise,” said LaHood.