NCJ Number
117279
Date Published
1988
Length
31 pages
Annotation
This article provides basic background on drinking and driving statistics and examines the results of adolescent intervention programs.
Abstract
The leading cause of death among United States teenagers is motor vehicle accidents, chiefly among drivers under the influence of alcohol. Also, over 60 percent of all auto fatalities are alcohol related. The measurement of blood alcohol content (BAC) is used to determine whether alcohol is involved in a traffic accident or fatality. Almost 50 percent of all people will show overt signs of intoxication at a BAC of 0.10. In general, males have more accidents than females, and most accidents happen on weekend nights in single-vehicle crashes on rural backroads. Socioeconomic variables associated with alcohol-related accidents include marital status, occupational and educational levels, and driving experience. The four theories explaining the effects of drinking on driving are: (1) skill theories: the greater the driving experience, the fewer accidents; (2) spare capacity: alcohol uses up driver capacity to deal with complex situations; (3) risk-taking theories; and (4) risk-compensation theories. Intervention programs aim to reduce adolescent auto accidents by either the preventive approach or the deterrent approach. The preventive approach includes raising the drinking age and the price of alcohol and restricting access to driving. Deterrent strategies are technological, such as an auto ignition system that requires a test of BAC to be activated; community efforts such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD); and long-term programs such as safer cars and highways. Several factors in attempting to evaluate programs to reduce teenage drunk-driving accidents are listed. 9 tables and 16 notes.