Driver- and passenger-based estimates of alcohol-impaired driving in the U.S., 2001-2003.
BACKGROUND
Alcohol-impaired driving (AID) continues to be a major public health problem in the U.S. The objective of this study was to estimate the number of annual driver- and passenger-reported episodes of AID and explore the effect of sociodemographic characteristics and drinking patterns on both behaviors.


METHODS
Data from a nationally representative random-digit-dial telephone survey of U.S. adults were analyzed in 2007.


RESULTS
From July 23, 2001, to February 7, 2003, an estimated 7 million drivers reported 190 million annual episodes of AID, and an estimated 10.5 million passengers reported 290 million annual episodes of AID. A comparison of estimates from this survey to those from a similar survey conducted in 1994 shows that episodes of both driver- and passenger-reported AID have increased by slightly more than 50%. Multivariable analysis revealed several gender differences in risk factors for both driver- and passenger-reported AID. For example, being of Hispanic ethnicity and not always wearing a seat belt were both associated with an increased risk of AID episodes for men but not women. A strong association between binge drinking and both driver- and passenger-reported AID was found for both genders.


CONCLUSIONS
Episodes of driver- and passenger-reported AID increased substantially between the middle 1990s and the early 2000s. The passenger estimates suggest that drivers may under-report AID by about 50%. Public health interventions to reduce AID should give equal consideration to impaired drivers and their passengers.
National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, CDC, Atlanta, Georgia 30341, USA. rshults@cdc.gov
Ruth A
RA
Shults
Marcie-jo
MJ
Kresnow
Karen C
KC
Lee
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology; D000435:Alcoholic Intoxication / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology; D001334:Automobile Driving / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D012622:Seat Belts / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013689:Telephone; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult