Long-term change in underage drinking and impaired driving after the establishment of drinking age laws in New York State.
This study depicts the long-term change in youths' alcohol use and impaired driving behaviors associated with the establishment of the drinking age laws. Five telephone surveys were conducted with youths aged 16 to 24 in 10 sampled New York State counties in 1982, 1983, 1985, 1986, and 1996. Analysis of the self-reported data showed that, 10 years after the enactment of the 21 drinking age law, alcohol use among 18-, 19-, and 20-year-olds decreased by up to 58%. Alcohol purchase rates of 19- and 20-year-olds were reduced by approximately 70% from 1985 to 1996. Although impaired driving rates declined over the survey years for each age group, approximately 25% of all underage respondents in 1996 reported that they had ridden in a vehicle with an impaired driver. Findings from this research indicate that alcohol purchase, alcohol use, and impaired driving have declined among the targeted youth groups as a result of the 21 drinking age law. However, continued efforts need to focus on both underage drinking and impaired driving/riding with impaired drivers, because they remain serious public health risks among the youth population.
Yu
J
J
New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services, Albany 12203, USA.
Shacket
R W
RW
D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000517:prevention & control; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000639:trends; D001334:Automobile Driving / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D009518:New York