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Nature of the Alcohol Problem in U.S. Fatal Crashes

NCJ Number
120685
Journal
Health Education Quarterly Volume: 16 Issue: 3 Dated: (Fall 1989) Pages: 335-343
Author(s)
J C Fell; C E Nash
Date Published
1989
Length
8 pages
Annotation
More than one half of all U.S. traffic fatalities involve alcohol.
Abstract
Factors which may explain the drop in the 1980's in alcohol involvement in fatal crashes include: increased public awareness of the dangers of drinking and driving, new and tougher State laws and increased enforcement, an increase in the minimum legal drinking age, a decline in the population of youthful drivers, a decrease in per capita alcohol consumption, and prevention and intervention concepts and programs. Media attention to impaired driving as a public health issue is waning, thus future declines in impaired driving will depend on continuing effective programs and initiating new programs. 5 tables, 25 references.