Psychosocial characteristics and follow-up of drinking and non-drinking drivers in motor vehicle crashes.
Eight hundred fifty-four consecutive motor vehicle crash (MVC) victims admitted from August 1, 1986, through August 31, 1989, were prospectively assessed including measurement of blood alcohol concentration (BAC). One hundred six in-hospital interviews were conducted on competent consenting drivers > or = 18 years old; 22.9% (n = 22) of those who were BAC tested (n = 96) were positive for alcohol on admission. The blood alcohol concentration positive [BAC(+)] and the BAC negative (-) drivers differed significantly on the following variables; driver education [BAC(-) > BAC(+): p < 0.01], license suspension < or = 2 years before admission [BAC(+) > BAC(-): p < 0.01], frequency of self-reported intoxication in month before crash [BAC(+) > BAC(-): p < 0.05], driving within 2 hours of drinking < or = 1 month before admission [BAC(+) > BAC(-): p = 0.01] and self-reported driving with BAC > 17 mmol/L < or = 1 month before admission [BAC(+) > BAC(-): p < 0.01]. Follow-up interviews (n = 106) were conducted 1 year after discharge; drivers originally testing BAC(+) were more likely to drive within 2 hours of drinking (p < 0.05), and were more likely to admit to driving with a BAC > 17 mmol/L (p < 0.01). Original BAC(+) drivers were also more likely to report a subsequent MVC in the year following discharge (not statistically significant). There is a need to develop an assessment system to identify high crash-risk drivers and establish rehabilitation programs to reduce crash recidivism.
McLellan
B A
BA
Regional Trauma Unit, Sunnybrook Health Science Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Vingilis
E
E
Larkin
E
E
Stoduto
G
G
Macartney-Filgate
M
M
Sharkey
P W
PW
D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000145:classification / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D001333:Automobile Driver Examination; D001334:Automobile Driving / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D008004:Licensure; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010343:Patient Admission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012307:Risk Factors; D012622:Seat Belts / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014193:Trauma Centers