Trends in Alcohol-Related Fatal Traffic Crashes, United States: 1977-1987

• NCJ Number: 124414
• Author(s): T S Zobeck; B F Grant; G D Williams; D Bertolucci
• Date Published: 1989
• Length: 32 pages
• Contract Number(s): ADM-281-89-0003
• Corporate Author: National Institute of Mental Health; CSR Incorporated
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Surveillance report No. 12

Annotation

The Department of Transportation's Fatal Accident Reporting System was used to collect data on general trends and fatality rates, blood alcohol concentration (BAC) testing and results, and young drinking drivers for the 1977-1987 period.

Abstract

The proportion of alcohol-related traffic crash deaths increased from 37 percent in 1977 to 43 percent in 1987. Total traffic deaths decreased 1 percent over the 11 years while alcohol-involved deaths increased 14 percent. Total fatalities per risk factor decreased 26, 12, 22, and 17 percent, respectively, for fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles traveled, 100,000 population, 100,000 registered vehicles, and 100,000 licensed drivers. Alcohol-related fatalities decreased 21, 8, and 8 percent, respectively, for 100 million vehicle miles traveled, per 100,000 registered vehicles, and per 100,000 licensed drivers. The proportion of years of potential life lost increased from 42 percent in 1977 to 51 percent in 1987 for males and from 33 percent in 1977 to 40 percent in 1987 for females. The BAC testing situation improved markedly since 1977. More than twice the number of states (26) tested their dead drivers 80 percent or more of the time in 1987 as in 1977. The 1987 total of 7,827 deaths associated with young drinking drivers was down 7 percent in 1987 from the 1986 total and down 21 percent from the 10-year high of 9,918 deaths in 1980. 13 tables.