Intoxicated Drivers Research Articles

Recidivism Risk of Repeat Intoxicated Drivers Monitored with Alcohol Biomarkers

This feasibility study analyzed the effects of alcohol biomarker testing in reducing the rearrest rates and/or lengthening the time between rearrests in repeat intoxicated drivers in Waukesha County. Participants were 250 repeat offenders who underwent monitoring with biomarker testing after being arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol between 2006 and 2009. In 2012, their traffic records were reviewed to determine any subsequent drunk driving arrests since their assessments in 2006 to 2009. Regression analysis was used to determine the relationship between the length of biomarker monitoring (LOM) and the time to recidivism (TTR). LOM was defined as the time between the offender's first test at enrollment in this study (baseline Early Detection of Alcohol Consumption [EDAC]) and the last test at the end of monitoring. TTR was defined as the length of time from baseline EDAC until the driver's next subsequent DUI offense. The results showed that 32 of the 250 drivers enrolled in this pilot were rearrested during the study period for an overall recidivism rate of 12.8%. The rearrested drivers were mostly men (88%), young adults (34 years), employed (84%), and predominantly single or divorced (86%). Their drinking profile at baseline showed that 93% claimed at least one month of abstinence before their first sample was collected yet almost one half (48%) of them tested positive for biomarkers. Regression analysis showed a positive and significant correlation between LOM and TTR (r = 0.41; p < 0.05; coefficient for LOM = 1.28; N = 23) indicating that for every additional day of biomarker monitoring the time to re-arrest increased by more than one day. This feasibility study provides preliminary evidence suggesting that repeat DUI offenders monitored with alcohol biomarkers take longer to get rearrested with a subsequent DUI than those not monitored with biomarkers.

A Comparison of the Combined-Use of Alcohol & Energy Drinks to Alcohol-Only on High-Risk Drinking and Driving Behaviors

Background: The combined-use of alcohol and energy drinks is an emerging public health issue. This investigation examined differences in drinking and driving behaviors among combined-users (CU) and participants who consumed alcohol-only (AO). Objectives: This study was specifically designed to investigate potential differences in drinker's perceptions of (a) what it means to them to drive over the .08 Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) driving limit and (b) what it means to drive after knowing they have had too much to drink to drive safely. Methods: College students (N = 355) were surveyed to assess differences in drinking and driving-related behaviors between the AO (n = 174) and CU (n = 107) groups. Results: CU were more likely than AO to drive over the .08 BAC driving limit (53% vs. 38%; p = .009) and after knowing they were too drunk to drive (57% vs. 44%; p = .025). CU were also more likely (56% vs. 35%; p = .000) to ride with an intoxicated driver while knowing it was unsafe. Conclusions/Importance: Combined-users are more likely to drive after drinking, drive while knowingly drunk, and participate in other high-risk behaviors such as heavy drinking that increase the potential for injury. Public policy makers and health professionals should focus prevention efforts to reduce high-risk combined-use behavior.

Detection of Intoxicated Drivers Using Online System Identification of Steering Behavior

Impaired driving is known to be among the leading causes of death and injury on roads; however, the existing measures to address this menace appear to be insufficient. This paper presents a novel method to detect intoxicated driving and lays a foundation that can be implemented in future cars to derive personalized models of drivers and to detect not only intoxicated driving but also other reckless driving styles. We employ system identification techniques to develop models for sober and impaired drivers. A total of 200 sets of data from various subject drivers were collected in a high-fidelity driving simulator. The lateral preview error and the steering wheel angle were considered the input and output of a driver, respectively. We will demonstrate that the autoregressive noise integration moving average with exogenous input (ARIMAX) model best fits the data to describe the steering behavior of drivers. The positions of model poles are shown to be a good indicator of intoxicated driving behavior. An aggressive driving style due to impaired driving leads to the migration of dominant poles toward the instability region. The Kalman filter and online identification techniques are used to update the driver model during driving. The poles of this updated model are used for the detection of impaired driving.

Review of the energy drink literature from 2013: findings continue to support most risk from mixing with alcohol.

In the field of caffeine research, interest in and concern for energy drink consumption have grown. Most caffeine-related research studies published in 2013 focused on energy drink consumption. This article reviews this literature. Prevalence of energy drink consumption varies by measure and age group. Lack of a standardized definition of use inhibits comparison across studies. Studies reviewed show that energy drink consumption is generally low, but the minority who drink the most may be consuming at unsafe levels. Energy drinks are popular among adolescents and young adults. They boost energy and alertness in some conditions, but may have adverse hemodynamic effects. Harmful consequences, including involvement in risky driving, riding with an intoxicated driver and being taken advantage of sexually, were reported significantly more often by adolescents and young adults who combined energy drinks with alcohol compared with those who did not. This review of recent literature focused on prevalence, motivation, and consequences of energy drink use. Clear findings emerged only on the dangers of mixing alcohol and energy drinks. The lack of a standardized measure made the comparison across studies difficult. Future research should extend and clarify these findings using standardized measures of use.

Successful conviction of intoxicated drivers at a level I trauma center.

IntroductionConviction rates for drivers driving under the influence (DUI) and in motor vehicle collisions (MVC) presenting to trauma centers are based primarily on data from the 1990s. Our goal was to identify DUI conviction rates of intoxicated drivers in MVCs presenting to a trauma center and to identify factors associated with the failure to obtain a DUI conviction.MethodsRetrospective study of adults (>18 years) presenting to a trauma center emergency department (ED) in 2007. Eligible subjects were drivers involved in a MVC with an ED blood alcohol level (BAL) ≥ 80mg/dL. Subjects were matched to their Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) records to identify DUI convictions from the collision, the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC), and arresting officer’s impression of the driver’s sobriety. We entered potential variables predictive of failure to obtain a DUI conviction into a regression model.ResultsThe 241 included subjects had a mean age of 34.1 ± 12.8 years, and 185 (77%) were male. Successful DUI convictions occurred in 142/241 (58.9%, 95% CI 52.4, 65.2%) subjects. In a regression model, Injury Severity Score > 15 (odds ratio = 2.70 (95% CI 1.06, 6.85)) and a lower ED BAL from 80 to 200mg/dL (odds ratio = 5.03 (95% CI 1.69, 14.9) were independently associated with a failure to obtain a DUI conviction.ConclusionSlightly more than half of drivers who present to an ED after a MVC receive a DUI conviction. The most severely injured subjects and those with lower BALs are least likely to be convicted of a DUI.

Neurocognitive Effect of Simulated Resistance and Use of Force Encounters on Standardized Field Sobriety Testing

Law enforcement officers (LEOs) use conducted electrical weapons (CEWs) to restrain violent persons. During an encounter with a potentially intoxicated driver, the suspect may physically resist, run from the LEO, or be subjected to a use-of-force (UOF) tool or tactic. It is not known if these behaviors, tools, or tactics can interfere with a person's ability to neurocognitively attend to standardized field sobriety tests (SFSTs).

Extracurricular Activity Availability and Participation and Substance Use Among American Indian Adolescents

School-based extracurricular activity involvement has been associated with lower levels of substance use among adolescents from various populations; however, these associations have only been slightly examined among American Indian (AI) adolescents. Building from various theoretical perspectives, it was hypothesized that AI adolescents' perceived access to and the intensity (i.e., frequency) of participation in extracurricular activities would be associated with lower substance use and less engagement in risky substance use behaviors (i.e., being drunk or high at school, riding/driving with an intoxicated driver, and selling drugs). The moderating influences of sex, age, reservation residence, and metropolitan status also were examined. Data from the 2010 Arizona Youth Survey were analyzed for 5,701 8th, 10th, and 12th grade AI adolescents (49.1% female). The expected protective effects of extracurricular participation were demonstrated, such that high levels of perceived availability and intensity of participation consistently predicted low levels of all outcomes. Some of these associations were moderated by one or more demographic factors, with unique patterns emerging for each behavior. Ultimately, the findings suggest that AI adolescents benefit from the availability of extracurricular activities and intensity of participation in them, but the degree of the effect is contingent upon other individual and contextual characteristics.

Driving intoxicated

According to the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2010, 10,228 people were killed in alcohol-impaired driving crashes. Daily, intoxicated drivers are seen in trauma centers across the country. At our trauma center, we sought to determine the number of drivers who had a documented elevation in their blood alcohol content (BAC) and compare this with county police records to evaluate how many charges for driving while intoxicated (DWI) were issued. A retrospective chart review was performed for trauma admissions during a 3-year period. Patients with a BAC of less than 0.08 g/dL were excluded. Only documented drivers were included. This group of intoxicated drivers was then compared against public records from the Dallas County for any record of a charge of DWI. During a 3-year period, from 2009 to 2011, 118 drivers had a confirmed BAC above the legal limit of 0.08 g/dL. Average BAC level was 0.218 g/dL. Injuries varied widely between patients with an average Injury Severity Score (ISS) of 11. Extremity fractures were seen in 27%, facial fractures were seen in 16%, and intracranial hemorrhage was seen in 7%. Forty-eight percent of the patients were admitted to the intensive care unit initially, with an average length of intensive care unit stay of 1.5 days (range, 0-25 days). Only 18% of our patients (21) received a charge of DWI. Four patients were charge with related offenses. A motor vehicle accident may be protective against the legal ramifications of drinking and driving. Less than 20% of patients who were driving under the influence incurred any legal repercussion. Deterrents that prevent law enforcement from being able to obtain evidence needed for prosecution should be eliminated. Health care providers and law enforcement agencies should work as a team to help mitigate the incidence of drunk driving and its burden on society. Epidemiologic study, level III.

Whether or not to ride with an intoxicated driver: Predicting intentions using an extended version of the theory of planned behaviour

The purpose of this study was to determine to what extent the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) extended with past behaviour, moral norm, descriptive norm, demographic variables and frequency of alcohol use is able to predict intentions not to ride with an intoxicated driver. Second, to examine whether different processes guide intentions among young passengers (35years and below) versus passengers aged above 35years, and women’s versus men’s intentions. Questionnaires were sent to a sample of 4000 people in Norway aged between 18 and 70years, and were completed by 1025 respondents, 44.9% were men (M=43.9years). The results showed that the TPB variables explained 19% (Adjusted R2) of the variance in intentions, and that the extension variables gave a significant contribution to the explained variance (R2 change=.04), after controlling for the impact of the TPB components. Age, gender and frequency of alcohol use had no significant impact on intention after controlling for the TPB components. Perceived behavioural control was the strongest predictor of intention (β=.25, p<.001), followed by moral norm (β=.16, p<.001), past behaviour (β=−.12, p<.001), descriptive norm (β=.09, p<.01) and subjective norm (β=.08, p<.05). Several group differences were found. The extended TPB model explained 27% and 17% (Adjusted R2) of men’s and women’s intentions, respectively, and 40% and 20% (Adjusted R2) of the variance in intentions among young and older passengers, respectively. The practical implications of these results for the development of interventions to motivate passengers not to ride with intoxicated drivers are outlined.

Are People Overoptimistic about the Effects of Heavy Drinking?

We test whether heavy or binge drinkers are overly optimistic about probabilities of adverse consequences from these activities or are relatively accurate about these probabilities. Using data from a survey in eight cities, we evaluate the relationship between subjective beliefs and drinking. We assess accuracy of beliefs about several outcomes of heavy/binge drinking: reduced longevity, liver disease onset, link between alcohol consumption and Driving While Intoxicated (DWI), probability of an accident after drinking, accuracy of beliefs about encountering intoxicated drivers on the road, and legal consequences of DWI-ranging from being stopped to receiving fines and jail terms. Overall, there is no empirical support for the optimism bias hypothesis. We do find that persons consuming a lot of alcohol tend to be more overconfident about their driving abilities and ability to handle alcohol. However, such overconfidence does not translate into over-optimism about consequences of high levels of alcohol consumption.

Road traffic accidents in Kathmandu—an hour of education yields a glimmer of hope

After the Metropolitan Traffic Police, Kathmandu initiated a “No Drinking and Driving” policy in 2011 in which a major intervention for intoxicated drivers was mandatory 1-hour class to modify drunk driving behaviors, reports show that the number of road traffic accidents in the year 2012 decreased by 23 percent from the year 2011. The injury to fatality ratio decreased by 21 percent in this period. We remain encouraged by these statistics which confirm that increased enforcement of road traffic rules, combined with behavioral change programs, can have positive changes in LMICs which suffer considerably from the global burden of trauma.

Energy Drinks: What Teenagers (and Their Doctors) Should Know

1. Kwabena L. Blankson, MD* 2. Amy M. Thompson, DO† 3. Dale M. Ahrendt, MD‡ 4. Vijayalakshmy Patrick, MD§ 1. *Maj, US Air Force, Adolescent Medicine, Naval Medical Center, Portsmouth, VA. 2. †Maj, US Army, Adolescent Medicine Fellow, San Antonio Uniformed Services Health Education Consortium (SAUSHEC), San Antonio, TX. 3. ‡Lt Col, US Air Force, Program Director, Adolescent Medicine, Fellowship, SAUSHEC, San Antonio, TX. 4. §Psychiatrist, Brooke Army Medical Center Associate Professor, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX. Hundreds of different energy drinks are available and are marketed to adolescents, carrying the potential for substance abuse that involves caffeine and alcohol. Clinicians must be educated to deal with their patients’ use of these products. After reading this article, readers should be able to: 1. Understand the size and scope of the energy drink market and recognize common energy drink brands. 2. Know that adolescents are high consumers of energy drinks and use them as performance enhancers. 3. Know the contents of energy drinks and their adverse effects and safety concerns. 4. Know that energy drinks can be a cause of tachycardia, hypertension, obesity, and other medical problems in adolescents. 5. Know the dangers of mixing energy drinks with alcohol. 6. Understand the relationship between caffeine tolerance/dependence and alcohol tolerance/dependence. 7. Understand the importance of screening teenagers for energy drink use in the office setting and offering appropriate counseling. Energy drinks are caffeinated beverages advertised as boosting the immune system, enhancing performance, and creating a “buzz” or a “high.” Some of these drinks contain alcohol, and sometimes consumers mix them with alcoholic beverages. This article reviews current information about the content, benefits, and risks of the use of these energy drinks by adolescents. Adolescents are no strangers to energy drinks, and over the past 2 years, media reports have heightened the awareness of doctors, parents, and lawmakers. In 2010, nine university students in Washington State were hospitalized and one almost died; their illness was attributed to a fruit-flavored, caffeinated alcoholic drink. A month earlier, on a college campus in New Jersey, 23 students were hospitalized after becoming intoxicated, again reportedly after drinking the same …

The association between low alcohol use and traffic risk behaviors among Brazilian college students

Although there are a large number of studies focused on binge drinking and traffic risk behaviors (TRB), little is known regarding low levels of alcohol consumption and its association to TRB. The aim of this cross-sectional study is to examine the association of low to moderate alcohol intake pattern and TRB in college students in Brazil. 7037 students from a National representative sample were selected under rigorous inclusion criteria. All study participants voluntarily fulfilled a structured, anonymous, and self-questionnaire regarding alcohol and drug use, social-demographic data, and TRB. Alcohol was assessed according to the average number of alcoholic units consumed on standard occasions over the past 12 months. The associations between alcohol intake and TRB were summarized with odds ratio and their confidence interval obtained from logistic regression. Compared with abstainers students who consumed only one alcohol unit had the risk of being a passenger in a car driven by a drunk driver increased by almost four times, students who reported using five or more units were increased by almost five times the risk of being involved in a car crash. Compared with students who consumed one alcohol unit, the risk of driving under the influence of alcohol increased four times in students using three alcohol units. Age group, use of illicit drugs, employment status, gender, and marital status significantly influenced occurrence of TRB among college students. Our study highlights the potential detrimental effects of low and moderate pattern of alcohol consumption and its relation to riding with an intoxicated driver and other TRB. These data suggest that targeted interventions should be implemented in order to prevent negative consequences due to alcohol use in this population.

Health hazards related to energy drinks: Are we looking for them?

A 14-year-old Caucasian girl presented to the emergency department with a persistent headache lasting 6 h, which was not relieved by acetaminophen and ibuprofen, her fourth similar episode of the month. She worried about having already missed five days of school and wanted medication to prevent further episodes. She denied any recent illness or drug ingestion. The patient had many friends, as well as a boyfriend, and could not think of any stress factors to explain her new condition. Approximately five weeks previously, a friend introduced her to energy drinks that she believed helped her become more focused on her school work. Additional inquiry revealed the presence of nervousness and insomnia; additionally, she mentioned that on two occasions her heart started to beat very quickly. She then asked, “Do you think that the three energy drinks I had yesterday could be related to my headache?” LEARNING POINTS ‘Energy drinks’, as they have been called by the beverage industry, are commercially available nonalcoholic, carbonated and noncarbonated drinks that claim to boost energy level, alertness and performance. The main active ingredient in energy drinks is caffeine, present in varying amounts; however, guarana, sometimes called herbal caffeine, is considered to be a natural product and is not included in the amount of caffeine identified on the can or bottle. In 2006, more than 30% of adolescents reported using energy drinks. Caffeine metabolism slows down during puberty because of the natural surge of growth hormone, potentially increasing the risk of symptomatic effects and complications, especially in combination with other medications such as psychostimulants or amphetamines. ○ Known adverse effects of caffeine are: headache, restlessness, nervousness, insomnia, nausea, vomiting, seizures, cardiac arrhythmia, hypertension, hallucinations, delirium and even death. ○ Caffeine-associated withdrawal symptoms include: headache, tiredness, sleepiness, dysphoric mood, difficulty concentrating, decreased cognitive performance, depression, irritability, nausea, vomiting, muscle aches and stiffness. The 2011 CPSP survey on energy drinks revealed that: ○ among 741 respondents, 9% (n=65) reported caffeine-related complications. ○ according to the patients with complications, the three most frequent reasons for consuming these products were: to increase alertness (41%), peer pressure (39%) and sports performance (25%). An emerging trend in bars and dance clubs is to combine energy drinks with alcohol, which increases the risk of not realizing one’s degree of intoxication and the associated impairment of motor coordination and visual reaction time, as well as the risk of alcohol-related consequences, such as being physically hurt or injured, being taken advantage of sexually or taking advantage of another sexually, and riding with an intoxicated driver. ○ In the CPSP survey, 28% of those who presented with complications associated with energy drinks had also consumed alcohol, and 26% had taken other drugs (psychostimulants 30%, cannabis 20% and amphetamines 10%). Paediatricians and other health care providers: ○ can play a very important role in educating children and adolescents about and in screening for energy drinks. ○ must inform the public on the potential health hazards related to excessive intake of caffeine-containing beverages by children and adolescents. ○ should advocate for continued and better regulation of products containing a high concentration of caffeine.

Blood alcohol concentration impact on the traffic accident rates with fatal outcome

Alcohol consumption is widespread, and alcohol addiction is among the top three most common diseases. It causes behavioral problems, perception disturbances and movement disorders associated with traffic traumatism. This review article was undertaken to describe the aforementioned relationship. Serbia's lawmakers reduced the level of legally allowable blood alcohol concentration to 0.3‰. Concentration from 0.5 to 0.7‰ increases the risk of involvement in traffic accidents with fatal outcome 4 to 10 times compared to those without the influence of alcohol. Most participants in fatal traffic accidents are pedestrians and drivers. The main feature of fatal traffic accidents is the participation of young male drivers intoxicated during weekend nightlife in the late evening and early morning. The dominant causes of death are craniocerebral injuries. Traffic accident is one of the causes of significant human casualties in the most productive life age for the society. Future research would show if the reduction of legally allowed blood alcohol concentration in Serbia provided satisfactory response and should it be necessary to impose more stringent procedures for intoxicated drivers.

Drinking Characteristics of Drivers Arrested for Driving While Intoxicated in Two Police Jurisdictions

Objective: Are drivers arrested for driving while intoxicated (DWI) most likely to be the drinking drivers who are involved in fatal and serious injury crashes? This study determined the drinking characteristics of drivers arrested for DWI or driving under the influence (DUI) and the proportion classified as problem drinkers and hardcore drinking drivers in two police jurisdictions. In addition to determining the drinking characteristics of DWI arrestees, the results were compared to the drinking characteristics of intoxicated drivers killed in traffic crashes. Method: Police officers gathered data at the time of arrest from 1027 drivers apprehended for DWI or DUI in the two communities on their alcohol consumption, their drinking-and-driving frequency, their self-reported alcohol problems, their place of drinking and types of drinks before the arrest, and their perceptions of impaired-driving enforcement intensity. Results: Data analyses indicated that 52 percent of the arrested DWI offenders were considered problem drinkers, 46 percent were repeat offenders, 57 percent were classified as hardcore drinking drivers, 51 percent were drinking at a bar or restaurant before their arrest, and 72 percent were drinking beer before their arrest. Conclusions: Compared to highly intoxicated (blood alcohol concentration [BAC] ⩾.15) drivers killed in traffic crashes, the high-BAC arrestees were substantially more likely to be problem drinkers and to report drinking and driving more often. The limited resources available for combating impaired driving should not be solely allocated to problem drinkers, hardcore drinkers, or repeat offenders because, at most, they constitute only about half of the impaired-driving problem in the United States. General deterrent strategies have the best chance of impacting the total population of at-risk drinking drivers.

139: Successful Conviction of Intoxicated Drivers at a Level I Trauma Center

uciem_westjem_19510 Abstract: Introduction: Conviction rates for drivers driving under the influence (DUI) and in motor vehicle collisions (MVC) presenting to trauma centers are based primarily on data from the 1990s. Our goal was to identify DUI conviction rates of intoxicated drivers in MVCs presenting to a trauma center and to identify factors associated with the failure to obtain a DUI conviction.

Resource utilization and outcomes of intoxicated drivers

BackgroundThe high risk behavior of intoxicated drivers, impaired reaction time, lack of seat belt use, and increased incidence of head injury raises questions of whether pre-hospital use of alcohol leads to a higher injury severity score and worse clinical outcomes. We therefore compared intoxicated and non-intoxicated drivers of motor vehicle crashes with respect to outcome measurements and also describe the resources utilized to achieve those outcomes at our Level 1 trauma center.MethodsRetrospective descriptive study (Jan 2002-June 2007) of our trauma registry and financial database comparing intoxicated drivers with blood alcohol levels (BAC) > 80 mg/dl (ETOH > 80) with drivers who had a BAC of 0 mg/dl (ETOH = 0). Drivers without a BAC drawn or who had levels ranging from 1 mg/dL to 80 mg/dL were excluded. Data was collected on demographic information (age, gender, injury severity score or ISS), outcome variables (mortality, complications, ICU and hospital LOS, ventilator days) and resource utilization (ED LOS, insurance, charges, costs, payments). Statistical analysis: p < 0.05 vs. ETOH > 80; stratified chi square.ResultsOut of 1732 drivers, the combined study group (n = 987) of 623 ETOH = 0 and 364 ETOH > 80 had a mean age of 38.8 ± 17.9, ISS of 18.0 ± 12.1, and 69.8%% male. There was no difference in ISS (p = 0.67) or complications (p = 0.38). There was a trend towards decreased mortality (p = 0.06). The ETOH = 0 group had more patients with a prolonged ICU LOS (≥ 5 days), ventilator days (≥ 8 days), and hospital LOS (> 14 days) when compared to the ETOH > 80 group (p < 0.05). The ETOH > 80 group tended to be self pay (4.9% vs. 0.7%, p < 0.5) and less likely to generate payment for hospital charges (p < 0.5). Hospital charges and costs were higher in the ETOH = 0 group (p < 0.5).ConclusionsThe data suggests that intoxicated drivers may have better outcomes and a trend towards reduced mortality. They appeared to be less likely to have prolonged hospital LOS, ICU LOS, and ventilator days. We also observed that intoxicated drivers were more likely to be self-pay, less likely to have charges > $50K, and less likely to pay ≥ 90% of the charges. Further research using multivariable analysis is needed to determine if these apparent outcomes differences are driven by acute intoxication, and the tendency for endotracheal intubation and ICU admission, rather than injury severity.

Trends in Alcohol‐Related Traffic Risk Behaviors Among College Students

Alcohol-impaired driving is a major public health problem. National studies indicate that about 25% of college students have driven while intoxicated in the past month and an even greater percentage drive after drinking any alcohol and/or ride with an intoxicated driver. The purpose of this investigation was to examine the change in these various alcohol-related traffic risk behaviors as students progressed through their college experience. A cohort of 1,253 first-time first-year students attending a large, mid-Atlantic university were interviewed annually for 4 years. Repeated measures analyses were performed using generalized estimating equations to evaluate age-related changes in prevalence and frequency of each behavior (i.e., ages 19 to 22). At age 19, 17%(wt) of students drove while intoxicated, 42%(wt) drove after drinking any alcohol, and 38%(wt) rode with an intoxicated driver. For all 3 driving behaviors, prevalence and frequency increased significantly at age 21. Males were more likely to engage in these behaviors than females. To understand the possible relationship of these behaviors to changes in drinking patterns, a post hoc analysis was conducted and revealed that while drinking frequency increased every year, frequency of drunkenness was stable for females, but increased for males. Alcohol-related traffic risk behaviors are quite common among college students and take a significant upturn when students reach the age of 21. Prevention strategies targeted to the college population are needed to prevent serious consequences of these alcohol-related traffic risk behaviors.

Commentary: Women and Alcohol: Increasingly Willing to Drive While Impaired?

Commentary: Women and Alcohol: Increasingly Willing to Drive While Impaired?