Drinking and driving: drinking patterns and drinking problems.
Two perspectives guide examinations of alcohol-related injury; studies of drinking behaviors which characterize the activities in which drinkers participate, and studies of drinking patterns which characterize individuals' likelihoods of intoxication. This paper presents a study of self-reported drinking and driving using both perspectives. A theoretical model of the relationships of drinking patterns and drinking behaviors to drinking and driving is derived. This model is used as the basis for analyses of self-reports of driving after drinking and driving while intoxicated. Using cross-sectional data from a study of alcohol-related injury in the United States, these self-reports were related to measures of respondent socio-demographics, drinking patterns, beverage preferences and routine activities. The results showed: (1) that the drinking pattern measures were significantly related to likelihoods of drinking and driving; (2) these measures were superior to alternate measures of drinking patterns in their ability to explain drinking and driving; (3) the measures of beverage preferences were unrelated to either measure of drinking and driving; and (4) that the utilization of certain venues for drinking (bars and restaurants) was significantly related to both measures of drinking and driving. It is concluded that observed socio-demographic differences in drinking and driving (e.g. related to ethnicity and marital status) are due to related differences in drinking patterns and drinking behaviors.
Gruenewald
P J
PJ
Prevention Research Center, Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation, Berkeley, CA, USA. paulrco5@garnet.berkeley.edu
Mitchell
P R
PR
Treno
A J
AJ
D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D000434:Alcoholic Beverages / Q000009:adverse effects; D000435:Alcoholic Intoxication / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control