Provincial Level Research Articles

Inference for big data assisted by small area methods: an application on sustainable development goals sensitivity of enterprises in Italy

Abstract In this study, we proposed a new method for estimating the sensitivity of enterprises in Italy to the United Nation’s sustainable development goals at the provincial level using web-scraping data (a nonprobability sample) because this value is not surveyed by the Italian National Institute of Statistics. The proposed method used a probability sample to reduce the selection bias of estimates obtained from the nonprobability sample in the context of small area estimation and integrated nonprobability and probability samples using a double robust estimator that combined (i) propensity weighting to improve the representativeness of the nonprobability sample and (ii) a statistical model to predict the units that were not in the nonprobability sample. A bootstrap procedure for estimating variance was also proposed. To validate the proposed method, a Monte Carlo simulation was performed. Results showed that the proposed method allowed the correction of bias from the nonprobability sample while maintaining a good level of estimate reliability.

LEGALITY OF TRADITIONAL OIL MINING EXPLORATION IN RANTO PEUREULAK, EAST ACEH: AN ANALYSIS OF THE ISLAMIC ECONOMIC LAW PERSPECTIVE

This article aims to examine the legality of oil mining resulting from traditional mining exploitation by the Ranto Pereulak community, East Aceh. This research uses descriptive qualitative research methods and the approach used in this research is a sociological normative approach. This research was located in Ranto Peureulak District, which is one of the sub-districts in East Aceh Regency. The results of this research show that the East Aceh Government through Qanun Number 6 of 2009 provides space for the community to manage mining products, in this case oil, by obtaining an IUP issued by the East Aceh government and going through all the conditions therein. The IUP is granted by the Regent after obtaining principle permission or approval from the Governor through the relevant provincial and district level agencies. However, in practice, many people in Ranto Peureulak District, East Aceh Regency, in managing illegal wells traditionally do not follow the applicable SOPs or regulations. Then the oil drilling carried out can endanger the health of workers and the surrounding community. This can also have an impact on the environment, because it does not pay attention to health standards or Health Safety and Environment or abbreviated as (HSE), which is the main priority for mining. In terms of safety too, it often catches fire and causes casualties, both workers and residents. Because drilling oil and gas wells is a very complex process and at each step procedures, requirements and important decisions are required that must be considered and implemented very carefully.

Mainstreaming disaster risk reduction (DRR) into development: effectiveness of DRR investment in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

As a low-income country, Pakistan is particularly vulnerable to various natural and human-induced disasters, which have significant consequences for both the environment and human life. A substantial share of the provincial budget is allocated to disaster response and recovery efforts. Prioritizing investment in disaster risk reduction (DRR) is essential to protect lives and assets. Although there is a complex relationship between investments made before and after disasters and their effectiveness in DRR, this dynamic remains insufficiently understood in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province. The current study was designed to analyze the developmental budgeting for DRR in the financial years 2000–2022 in KP province. The Sen’s Slope Estimator and modified Mann-Kendall tests were used to determine the significance trend, while the correlation coefficient test was used to find the correlation between investment in DRR and disaster-induced damages such as deaths, injuries and houses damaged. The study findings reveal that the occurrence of disasters influences post-disaster spending in the KP province, with a significant negative correlation between expenditure and disaster-related damages, implying that increased DRR investment has significantly reduced the consequences of disasters. To minimize vulnerability to future disasters, the province should integrate risk-sensitive planning across all sectoral departments at local, district, and provincial levels, guided by a risk-informed development approach. This proactive strategy would embed disaster resilience within developmental activities, ensuring that each sector aligns with principles of risk reduction and sustainable growth.

Research on Medium- and Long-Term Hydropower Generation Forecasting Method Based on LSTM and Transformer

Hydropower generation is influenced by various factors such as precipitation, temperature, and installed capacity, with hydrometeorological factors exhibiting significant temporal variability. This study proposes a hydropower generation forecasting method based on Transformer and SE-Attention for different provinces. In the model, the outputs of the Transformer and SE-Attention modules are fed into an LSTM layer to capture long-term data dependencies. The SE-Attention module is reintroduced to enhance the model’s focus on important temporal features, and a linear layer maps the hidden state of the last time step to the final output. The proposed Transformer-LSTM-SE model was tested using provincial hydropower generation data from Yunnan, Sichuan, and Chongqing. The experimental results demonstrate that this model achieves high accuracy and stability in medium- and long-term hydropower forecasting at the provincial level, with an average accuracy improvement of 33.79% over the LSTM model and 24.30% over the Transformer-LSTM model.

"Behavioural and metabolic risk factors of cardiovascular diseases among post-menopausal women: A cross-sectional study in Itahari sub-metropolitan city of Nepal".

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are main cause of mortality and morbidity among women globally. Menopause, aging and different factors in collaboration leads to increased risk for CVDs among postmenopausal women but study on risk factors of CVDs among postmenopausal women is limited in Nepal. Therefore, we aimed to assess prevalence of behavioural and metabolic risk factors of cardiovascular disease among post-menopausal women. Community based cross-sectional study was carried among 390 post-menopausal women of the Itahari sub-metropolitan city. Multistage simple random sampling technique was used to collect data. Modified semi structured questionnaire STEP I, STEP II and STEP III was used as data collection tool. SPSS version 11.5 used for data analysis. Chi-square test and logistic regressions were performed at 95% confidence interval to find predictors of raised blood pressure and overweight/obesity. The mean age of respondents was 63.37 years. The prevalence of current smokers, current alcohol use, less than 5 servings of fruits and vegetables per day, low level of physical activity, overweight/obesity and raised blood pressure was 9.2%, 18.2%, 86.4%, 52.3%, 56.2% and 44.4% respectively. On multivariate analysis strong predictors of overweight obesity were age ≤59 years (AOR: 3.21, CI 1.49-6.89), poor economic status (AOR: 1.764, CI: 1.120-2.779) and low physical activity (AOR: 2.132, CI: 1.350-3.370). Predictors of raised blood pressure were age ≥75 years (AOR: 2.04, CI: 1.01-4.11), unmarried and widow (AOR: 1.815, CI: 1.108-2.971), higher economic status (AOR: 1.752, CI: 1.119-2.740) and smoking (AOR: 4.109, CI: 1.737-9.718). Prevalence of behavioural and metabolic risk factors among postmenopausal women in Itahari sub-metropolitan city were alarmingly high. This calls for an early need of intervention and policies at local, provincial and institutional level to address risk factors of CVDs.

Exploratory dietary patterns, the global diet quality score, and their associated socio-demographic factors among young adults in Rwanda: a cross-sectional study using a food list-validated, semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire.

Economic growth in Rwanda is associated with significant changes in food systems, access to health and other services, lifestyle, and nutritional transitions. Nevertheless, our knowledge of dietary patterns in Rwanda remains limited. The present study aimed to identify the dietary habits of young adult population in Rwanda and to assess associated factors. A developed and validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire covering a one-year period was used to collect data on food intake of 1,218 participants (18-35 years old) from end of January to April 2023 in a cross-sectional study. Dietary habits were assessed using two indicators: the Global Diet Quality Score (GDQS) and dietary patterns. The latest was developed using exploratory factor analysis. Rwandan adults had a mean GDQS of 24.1; 64.4% had high GDQS, especially urban, and educated respondents. The Southern province led at 77.4%. Three dietary patterns were identified: "Modern" (high in processed foods and drinks), "Traditional" (rich in cereals, roots, and plant-based proteins), and "low variety" (low in diverse foods but high in sugar and salt). Dietary patterns significantly varied by residency, province, sex, age, social category, asset, and education level. This study identified distinct dietary patterns among adult population of Rwanda, suggesting a nutritional transition associated with urbanization. The findings highlight the need for further research into the relationships between diet, obesity, and metabolic syndrome in Rwandan population.

Exploring the Realization Level and the Obstacles Affecting Different Types of Ecological Product Value—A Typical Case from Zhejiang, China

The realization of ecological product value (EPV) is a crucial pathway for green economic development and the practical implementation of both the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and China’s “Two Mountains Theory”, which emphasizes the need for harmony between ecological protection and economic growth. While China has initiated several pilot projects, there remains no consensus on the classification of ecological products or the measurement of EPV realization levels, largely due to limitations in the existing accounting systems, which fail to address EPV’s complexity. This study introduces a novel framework for measuring EPV realization, categorizing ecological products into pure public, quasi-public, and operational types. It demonstrates the economic value of ecological conservation, providing viable economic incentives for green development. This framework allows governments and businesses to see that protecting and sustainably utilizing natural resources can also yield economic benefits, thus offering a new feasible pathway for green development. Using Zhejiang Province as a case study, the authors present an improved coupling coordination model and a mechanical equilibrium model to assess EPV levels, emphasizing the importance of tailored regional strategies. Additionally, an obstacle degree model is employed to identify and analyze the factors limiting EPV realization. The results show that (1) different types of ecological products follow distinct value realization paths within the “economic–ecological–social” system; (2) EPV realization varies significantly across regions, with a trend of being lower in the southwest and higher in the northeast; (3) obstacles to value realization differ across subsystems, with particular attention needed to improve quasi-public ecological products in the ecological and social domains; (4) factors such as pesticide use and the number of tourist attractions affect EPV realization at the provincial and municipal levels, respectively. This study presents a new EPV measurement framework and highlights the spatial–temporal variability of EPV realization across regions. It provides valuable insights for developing countries and ecologically vulnerable areas seeking to optimize their EPV realization, supporting sustainable development and advancing “Two Mountains Theory” transformation.

Nepal Family Cohort study: a study protocol

IntroductionThe Nepal Family Cohort study uses a life course epidemiological approach to collect comprehensive data on children’s and their parents’ environmental, behavioural and metabolic risk factors. These factors can affect...

Continuing medical education program completion and influencing factors: a cross-sectional study in Sichuan Province, China

ObjectivesThis cross-sectional study was designed to explore the completion of continuing medical education (CME) programs and identify the factors influencing their completion.MethodsThe data for this study were generated from the National CME Program Application and Information Feedback Online System and the Sichuan CME Administrative Platform. The data were processed using descriptive analysis, Chi-square test, and binary logistic regression methods. The completion of each CME program was determined by the research team members according to the criteria created by the Office of the Sichuan CME Commission.ResultsA total of 180 hospitals and 3,622 CME programs were included. Among the 3,622 CME programs, 2,936 (81.1%) were determined to be completed. Comparative analysis showed that in terms of hospital characteristics, specialist hospitals, county hospitals, hospitals with 500–1,000 beds, and hospitals in the regions with government medical expenditure input equal to or more than 3,000 million RMB displayed the highest completion rates. For program attributes, national programs, programs in the field of pharmacy, and programs with 1–3 duration days demonstrated the highest completion rates. The binary logistic regression analysis showed that hospital region with different government medical expenditure input had the strongest positive association with the completion of CME programs [OR = 2.922, 95%CI (1.642–5.198)], while the duration time showed the strongest negative association [OR = 0.235, 95%CI (0.141–0.393)].ConclusionThis is the first study in China to analyze the completion of CME programs and identify its influencing factors at the provincial level. It is recommended that the government in the region should pay great attention to the construction of measures regarding the factors affecting the completion of CME programs. This includes providing more financial support to CME providers to ensure the formal operation of their CME activities, formulating guidelines on the application of CME programs to reasonably allocate and control the distribution of accredited CME programs across different hospital scales and disciplines, especially offering more training support to county hospitals, promulgating administrative documents to raise attention to the completion of CME programs, and special scrutiny on CME programs with longer durations to provide and protect training opportunities for those in need.

The Content Analysis of High-Quality Farmer Cultivation Policy under the Context of Rural Revitalization: A Two-Dimensional Perspective on Policy Tools and Participants

Abstract: As the latest stage in the development of farmer cultivation, the sustainable advancement of high-quality farmer cultivation requires not only the rational application of public policy tools but also the collaborative participation of multiple stakeholders. By collating policy documents on high-quality farmer cultivation at the national, Shandong provincial, and Yantai municipal levels from 2019 to December 2023, a total of 26 policy texts were coded, classified, and quantitatively analyzed using the content analysis method under a two-dimensional framework that includes the dimensions of policy tools and participants. The findings reveal that the composition of high-quality farmer cultivation policy in China is unbalanced, with demand-side policies having a weak driving effect. There is insufficient mobilization of agriculture-related enterprises and social organizations, and policy follow-up requires strengthening. Additionally, the correlation between policy tools and participants is inadequate, resulting in fragmented policies. Based on these findings, it is recommended to optimize the structure of policy tools, emphasize the participation of multiple stakeholders, and align policies with the actual policy environment.

Characterization and source apportionment of heavy metal pollution in soil around red mud disposal sites using absolute principal component scores-multiple linear regression and positive matrix factorization models.

In recent years, industrial waste and agrochemicals have reduced soil fertility and productivity, significantly impacting food security and ecosystems. In China, areas near red mud deposits from the aluminum industry show severe heavy metal contamination. This study examines agricultural soil near a red mud site in Shanxi Province, analyzing Cd, Cr, Hg, Ni, Pb, As, Cu, and Zn levels and distribution. Geostatistical methods and GIS are utilized to assess heavy metal pollution using the single factor index, the Nemerow integrated index, and the Hakanson potential ecological risk index. Absolute Principal Component Scores-Multiple Linear Regression (APCS-MLR) and Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) models are used for quantitative analysis of pollution sources. Research indicates that the average concentrations of eight heavy metals exceed the natural background values of Shanxi, placing them at a severe pollution level with moderate ecological risk. Specifically, indices for As, Pb, and Cr are 3.79, 3.38, and 3.26, indicating severe pollution; Cd, Cu, and Hg at 2.36, 2.62, and 3.00 suggest moderate pollution; Ni at 1.87 shows mild pollution, while Zn at 0.97 is not polluted. Hg presents the highest ecological risk with a coefficient of 120.00, followed by Cd (70.69) and As (37.92). Spatial analysis shows significant correlations among Pb, Zn, Cu, and Ni, while Cr, Cd, Hg, and As show greater variability and weaker correlations. Both models identify five main sources: industrial activities, agricultural fertilizers, red mud leachate, energy combustion, and natural geological backgrounds, with respective contribution rates in the APCS-MLR model at 27.7%, 24.6%, 18.1%, 15.2%, and 14.4%, and in the PMF model at 29.2%, 21.5%, 16.9%, 16.7%, and 15.7%. This study offers a scientific basis for controlling soil pollution in the region, filling a literature gap.

Reasons for the continued decline in fertility intentions: explanations from overtime work

ABSTRACT China’s fertility rate continues to decline despite government fertility policies. This study aims to explore the micro-level causes of China’s declining fertility rate by examining the impact of changes in Chinese work patterns in recent years, particularly the prevalence of overtime work, on fertility intentions. Using data from the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS), this study examines the impact of overtime work on fertility intentions at both the provincial and urban levels. It also examines the specific mechanisms through which different types of overtime (e.g. weekend overtime, night shifts, on-call duty) affect fertility intentions. The results show that overtime work significantly inhibits fertility intentions, a trend that is consistent at both provincial and urban levels. Weekend overtime, night shifts, and on-call duties exhibit particularly pronounced inhibitory effects on fertility intentions. However, not all work arrangements negatively impact fertility intentions. Reasonable work schedules may even foster them. The research implies the need for policy measures to mitigate the negative effects of overtime work on fertility intentions.

ICT and Entrepreneurial Orientation as Drivers of SME Performance: Insights from Padang Pariaman Regency, Indonesia

This study aims to empirically examine the impact of the implementation of information communication and technology (ICT) and entrepreneurship orientation on the performance of SMEs in Padang Pariaman Regency, West Sumatra province of Indonesia. This research uses purposive sampling with a sample of 100 SMEs registered at the Department of Cooperatives and SMEs, Padang Pariaman Regency. The data collection method used in this study was a survey. Questionnaires were distributed by visiting SMEs to their place of business directly. The results empirically prove that ICT and entrepreneurship orientation have a significant effect on the performance of SMEs. This research only uses two independent variables, so it needs additional mediating or moderating variables, such as innovation and learning orientation. Likewise, the respondents of this study were only SMEs in Padang Pariaman Regency with various types of businesses. It is suggested that further research expands research objects such as the provincial level with one SME business. The implementation of ICT can provide benefits for the performance of SMEs in developing businesses and also to be globally competitive. Likewise, entrepreneurship orientation has a significant relationship with improving the performance and level of competitiveness of SMEs

Scrutinizing the Statistical Distribution of a Composite Index of Soil Degradation as a Measure of Early Desertification Risk in Advanced Economies

Using descriptive and inferential techniques together with simplified metrics derived from the ecological discipline, we offer a long-term investigation of the Environmental Sensitive Area Index (ESAI) as a proxy of land degradation vulnerability in Italy. This assessment was specifically carried out on a decadal scale from 1960 to 2020 at the province (NUTS-3 sensu Eurostat) level and benefited from a short-term forecast for 2030, based on four simplified assumptions grounded on a purely deterministic (‘what … if’) approach. The spatial distribution of the ESAI was investigated at each observation year (1960, 1970, 1980, 1990, 2000, 2010, 2020, 2030) calculating descriptive statistics (central tendency, variability, and distribution shape), deviation from normality, and the increase (or decrease) in diversification in the index scores. Based on nearly 300 thousand observations all over Italy, provinces were considered representative spatial units because they include a relatively broad number of ESAI measures. Assuming a large sample size as a pre-requisite for the stable distribution of the most relevant moments of any statistical distribution—because of the convergence law underlying the central limit theorem—we found that the ESAI scores have increased significantly over time in both central values (i.e., means or medians) and variability across the central tendency (i.e., coefficient of variation). Additionally, ecological metrics reflecting diversification trends in the vulnerability scores delineated a latent shift toward a less diversified (statistical) distribution with a concentration of the observed values toward the highest ESAI scores—possibly reflecting a net increase in the level of soil degradation, at least in some areas. Multiple exploratory techniques (namely, a Principal Component Analysis and a two-way hierarchical clustering) were run on the two-way (data) matrix including distributional metrics (by columns) and temporal observations (by rows). The empirical findings of these techniques delineate the consolidation of worse predisposing conditions to soil degradation in recent times, as reflected in a sudden increase in the ESAI scores—both average and maximum values. These trends underline latent environmental dynamics leading to an early desertification risk, thus representing a valid predictive tool both in the present conditions and in future scenarios. A comprehensive scrutiny of past, present, and future trends in the ESAI scores using mixed (parametric and non-parametric) statistical tools proved to be an original contribution to the study of soil degradation in advanced economies.

The practice of protecting agricultural land in Jiangsu Province of China

The safeguarding of agricultural land is rooted in national land surveys and remote sensing data, which are enhanced by contemporary information technology. This framework facilitates the monitoring and regulation of unauthorized alterations in cultivated land usage. This paper aims to analyze land policies at the national, provincial, and local levels, investigate the cultivated land protection strategies implemented within the research region, where the policies have gained societal acceptance, and propose recommendations and countermeasures to enhance the development and utilization of land resources. The central issue of this study is to identify the challenges in achieving a balance between human activities and natural ecosystems. To address this issue, the research employs a combination of literature review, semi-structured interviews, text analysis, and content analysis, emphasizing the integration of empirical fieldwork and theoretical frameworks. Key areas of focus include: (a) the current state of the farmland protection system, (b) the legal foundations for local enforcement, (c) the systematic mechanisms for implementing arable land protection, and (d) the coordinated oversight system involving both the Party and government. Notably, the practice of cultivated land protection faces several challenges, primarily stemming from two factors. Firstly, there exists a disconnect between the economic interests of certain illegal land users and the objectives of land management, which hinders effective enforcement. Secondly, environmental repercussions arise from misinterpretations of land policy or non-compliant land development practices aimed at profit, which contradict the goals of ecological sustainability. The study examines two approaches to address the issue: the distribution and effective use of land resources, and the capacity for monitoring and early warning systems. Findings indicate that Dongtai City in Jiangsu Province has rigorously implemented all national land management policies, while also preserving the adaptability of local townships in practical applications, thereby ensuring the consistency of both the quality and quantity of arable land.

Digital inclusive finance and digital transformation of Chinese enterprises: Perspectives on company technology intensity and financialization

AbstractThis study explores the role of digital inclusive finance in company digital transformation within China, particularly examining the variances among companies with differing levels of technological intensity and financialization. Using A‐share Chinese data from 2011 to 2022, we find that regions with superior digital inclusive finance exhibit enhanced corporate digital transformation, regardless of the provincial or municipal level. Subindexes, including the coverage breadth, use depth, and degree of digital inclusive finance, confirm that they are all significantly positively related to digital transformation. These effects are more pronounced in companies with lower technological intensity, and corporate financialization serves as a mediating factor.

Decoupling carbon dioxide emissions from economic growth across multiregional supply chains within China

Decoupling carbon dioxide emissions from economic growth is crucial for China’s dual carbon targets and sustainable development. Amidst the backdrop of a new development paradigm emphasizing domestic circulation, the decoupling analysis of embodied carbon emissions and embodied value added among Chinese regions is vital for green multiregional supply chain management to reduce carbon emissions while keeping economic growth. This study first comprehensively explores the decoupling status of carbon emissions and economic growth at the provincial level. Moreover, we focus on the embodied carbon emissions and value added across multiregional supply chains within China during 2012-2017 from both demand and supply perspectives. Results illustrate that the decoupling status of 22 provinces (e.g., Beijing, Shandong, and Xinjiang) displays diversity across different perspectives. Furthermore, the different multi-perspective decoupling statuses of critical sectors (e.g., the production and distribution of electric power and heat power sector) underscore the necessity for multi-side measures to reconcile carbon emission reduction with economic growth. Notably, this study identifies the decoupling status of most interregional pairs (i.e., two regions with carbon emissions and value added flows) are undesirable. It highlights the importance of interregional cooperation for decoupling embodied carbon emissions from value added growth along multiregional supply chains. Our findings can provide valuable insights for policymakers in advancing carbon emissions decoupling from economic expansion to achieve national sustainable development.

Higher Education Investment, Human Capital Level, and High-Quality Economic Development: Evidence from Chinese Provincial Data

While extensive research has examined economic growth in China, the complex relationship between knowledge-based inputs and comprehensive development remains poorly understood, particularly at the provincial level. Previous studies have largely focused on traditional economic indicators, overlooking how education investment and human capital collectively shape multidimensional development outcomes across China's diverse regions. To address this gap, we construct a novel development index incorporating innovation, sustainability, and social progress metrics, analyzing panel data from 31 Chinese provinces (2000-2020) through two-way fixed effects models with instrumental variables. Our findings reveal that higher education investment significantly enhances comprehensive development, with this effect amplified in regions with greater human capital accumulation. Notably, regional heterogeneity analysis demonstrates stronger investment effectiveness in eastern provinces compared to central regions, while western provinces show no significant relationship. These results underscore the importance of regionally differentiated approaches to educational investment and human capital development, offering valuable insights for policymakers seeking to promote balanced growth across China's economically diverse landscape.

Assessing the impact of regional coordinated development on a low-carbon future: Evidence from the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Coordinated Development Strategy

The Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Coordinated Development Strategy (BTHCDS) is an important way for China to explore the construction of an ecological civilization. Whether it can effectively reduce carbon emission (CE) not only affects the quality of the strategy’s implementation but also has important implications for optimizing the low-carbon development model of the urban agglomeration and advancing the “dual carbon” process of China. Based on the panel data between of 30 provinces between 2004 and 2019, this study employed the synthetic control method (SCM) to construct a counterfactual path and assess the impact of BTHCDS on CE reduction at both the whole regional and provincial levels. The results show that the BTHCDS has a positive leading role in shaping the region’s low-carbon future and can drive the overall CE reduction in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region at an annual rate of 9.38%. Despite short-term fluctuations in implementation, the CE reduction effect of BTHCDS has shown a steady trend of expanding overall. The CE reduction effects of BTHCDS exhibit heterogeneity across individual provinces, but there is no “pollution haven.” This study enriches research on the effect of regional coordinated integration development on CE reduction and provides an important policy reference for low-carbon development in other urban agglomerations.

Road traffic deaths caused by at-fault drivers and drinking-driving in China: A spatiotemporal analysis of the 2017–2020 period

In China, the role that alcohol plays in road traffic deaths (RTDs) is poorly understood. In this study, RTD rates caused by at-fault drivers and drinking-driving by cases per 100,000 people were calculated at the city and provincial levels in China during 2017–2020. Spatial lag modeling was applied to measure the influence of drinking-driving RTD rates on at-fault RTD rates. In addition, the influence of seven geographic regions, six city tiers, three ethnicities, and six socioeconomic factors on drinking-driving and at-fault RTD rates was assessed. Drinking-driving RTD rates were positively associated with at-fault RTD rates. GDP per capita was negatively associated with drinking-driving RTD rates, but unemployment rates were positively associated. This study highlights the influence of drinking-driving on overall at-fault behavior. The reinforcement of traffic regulations against drinking-driving and general awareness could reduce RTD rates.