Sociodemographic, behavioral, and cognitive predictors of alcohol-impaired driving in a sample of U.S. college students.
Alcohol-impaired driving continues to be a major public health concern, particularly among college students. The current study examined whether sociodemographic, behavioral, and cognitive variables predicted alcohol-impaired driving in a sample of college students. Data were collected via telephone interviews from a random sample of undergraduates, ages 18-25 years old, stratified by sex and class in school. Using hierarchical logistic regression analyses (n = 330), results revealed that higher levels of weekly alcohol use, being age 21 or older, and perceived difficulty in obtaining alternative transportation were associated with a greater likelihood of drinking and driving. In addition, perceived likelihood of drinking and driving-related consequences was associated with a lower likelihood of drinking and driving. Knowledge of the .08% per se and zero tolerance laws did not predict alcohol-impaired driving. Findings are discussed in terms of their implications for college media campaigns designed to reduce alcohol-impaired driving.
Fairlie
Anne M
AM
University of Rhode Island, 10 Chafee Road, Suite 8, Kingston, RI 02881, USA.
Quinlan
Kristen J
KJ
Dejong
William
W
Wood
Mark D
MD
Lawson
Doreen
D
Witt
Caren Francione
CF
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000435:Alcoholic Intoxication / Q000453:epidemiology*; D001334:Automobile Driving / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013689:Telephone; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult