Alcohol Availability, Per Capita Consumption, and the Alcohol-Crash Problem (From Drinking and Driving: Advances in Research and Prevention, P 205-225, 1990, R Jean Wilson and Robert E Mann, eds. -- See NCJ-138065)

• NCJ Number: 138072
• Author(s): R E Mann; L Anglin
• Date Published: 1990
• Length: 21 pages
• Sale Source: Guilford Publications, Inc.
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This chapter assesses the applicability of availability theory to the drinking-driving problem.

Abstract

The bases of availability theory are demonstrable relationships among alcohol availability (defined broadly to include price, legal drinking age, density of outlets, hours of sale, etc.), alcohol consumption, and alcohol problems. Reductions in availability will tend to be followed by reductions in consumption and problem rates, and increases in availability will tend to be followed by increases in consumption and problem rates. Studies relevant to the applicability of availability theory to the drinking-driving problem indicate that there is a positive relationship between per capita consumption and the drinking-driving problem. Also, increased and reduced availability of alcohol to specific age groups through changes in legal drinking age results in corresponding increases and decreases in crash involvement. Increases in alcohol availability due to extended hours of sale or other measures that increase access tend to result in more crashes and injuries. Decreases in alcohol availability through strikes or increased relative price tend to result in reduced crashes, injuries, and fatalities. These findings are consistent with availability theory. Policies to reduce drunk driving based on availability theory have apparently been largely ignored by policymakers in recent efforts to reduce deaths and injuries due to impaired driving, with the exception of changes in the drinking age. 82 references