Citation

Voas RB, Williams AF. J. Stud. Alcohol 1986; 47(3): 244-248.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1986, Rutgers Center of Alcohol Studies)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

3724162

Abstract

Studies were reviewed to determine the extent to which drivers arrested for driving while intoxicated (DWI) and crash-involved drivers impaired by alcohol are similar in age. Data indicate that younger drivers are substantially underrepresented in the DWI arrest population relative to their presence in the alcohol-related crash population. Overall, the proportion of arrested drivers less than age 20 was only one-fourth to one-third the proportion of these drivers involved in fatal crashes, and for those aged 20-29 it was two-thirds to three-fourths. The reasons for the underrepresentation of young drivers in the arrested population are not fully known and require further study. Youthful drivers constitute the major part of the alcohol-related crash problem, and effective ways to address this population most at risk should be sought.