Citation

Massie DL, Campbell KL. J. Traffic Med. 1996; 24(1-2): 43-48.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1996, International Association for Accident and Traffic Medicine)

DOI

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PMID

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Abstract

Objective: This research examines changes in the rate of fatal traffic involvements for alcohol involved and non-alcohol involved drivers between 1983 and 1990 on U.S. roads. Methods: Mileage-based rates were calculated using the Fatal Accident Reporting System files for crash data and the Nationwide Personal Transportation Survey for exposure data. Alcohol status of drivers was derived from the FARS BAC distribution files. Results: Decreases in the rates for alcohol involved drivers exceeded those for non-alcohol involved drivers. Drivers aged 16-20 had the highest alcohol fatal involvement rate in both 1983 and 1990, but they showed the greatest improvement in this rate of all age groups. Female drivers had lower alcohol involvement rates than male drivers in 1983 and 1990, and generally experienced greater decreases in this rate than men. Women aged 25-29 showed less improvement in the alcohol involvement rate than women of other ages. Conclusion: The results suggest that efforts to counteract drinking and driving, particularly among teenagers, have been effective. Women aged 25-29 in 1990 appear to have benefited less from this trend possibly reflecting a cohort effect.

Keywords

Ethanol impaired driving