Alcohol consumption measured at roadside surveys and variations in traffic injury crashes

Accid Anal Prev. 1998 Jul;30(4):409-16. doi: 10.1016/s0001-4575(98)00004-9.

Abstract

This analysis examines whether roadside surveys that measure changes in the prevalence of driving after drinking can be used to evaluate the impact of interventions designed to reduce alcohol-related traffic crashes. Using data collected at a roadside survey over a 4-year period in two California communities (N = 33,614), this analysis examines the relationship of BAC and drinks since 5 P.M., aggregated on a monthly basis, with nighttime injury crash data from the California Highway Patrol aggregated on a monthly basis. A regression analysis was used in which daytime injury and drinking style were covariates. The data demonstrate that temporal changes in drinking and driving collected at a roadside survey reflect temporal changes in nighttime injury rates. Hence, this study substantiates the use of roadside surveys as an appropriate methodology to evaluate drinking and driving interventions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Accidents, Traffic* / prevention & control
  • Alcohol Drinking* / epidemiology
  • Automobile Driving*
  • California / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Regression Analysis