title: Evaluating the effects of a large increase in off-sale alcohol outlets on motor vehicle crashes: a time-series analysis.
abstract: This study examined the effects on motor vehicle crashes of a policy change that led to the introduction of a very large number of off-sale alcohol outlets in Lubbock, Texas. Times-series analysis of total crashes and single-vehicle nighttime (SVN) crashes was used to compare the periods before and after the policy change in Lubbock and in a comparison area. The results of the analysis revealed some weak effects on total crashes, but no statistically significant effects were found for SVN crashes. Possible reasons for the essentially null findings of the current study regarding the effects of the policy change on motor vehicle crashes are discussed. These include the fact that there were a small number of off-sale outlets already present in the community and that motor vehicle travel immediately following alcohol consumption is less likely to occur with alcohol purchased from an off-sale outlet compared to an on-sale outlet.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, School of Public Health , Texas A&M University , TAMU 1266, College Station , TX 77843 , USA.
authors.forename: Daikwon
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Han
authors.affiliation: a Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, School of Public Health , Texas A&M University , TAMU 1266, College Station , TX 77843 , USA.
authors.forename: Eva M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Shipp
authors.affiliation: a Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, School of Public Health , Texas A&M University , TAMU 1266, College Station , TX 77843 , USA.
authors.forename: Dennis M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Gorman
mesh_terms: D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000453:epidemiology; D000434:Alcoholic Beverages / Q000191:economics* / Q000600:supply & distribution; D000066448:Driving Under the Influence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013781:Texas / Q000453:epidemiology; D013996:Time and Motion Studies
keywords: alcohol availability policy; alcohol outlets; alcohol-related crashes; motor vehicle crashes; time-series analysis