title: Spatial relationships between alcohol-related road crashes and retail alcohol availability.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study examines spatial relationships between alcohol outlet density and the incidence of alcohol-related crashes. The few prior studies conducted in this area used relatively large spatial units; here we use highly resolved units from Melbourne, Australia (Statistical Area level 1 [SA1] units: mean land area=0.5 km(2); SD=2.2 km(2)), in order to assess different micro-scale spatial relationships for on- and off-premise outlets.
  
  
  METHODS
  Bayesian conditional autoregressive Poisson models were used to assess cross-sectional relationships of three-year counts of alcohol-related crashes (2010-2012) attended by Ambulance Victoria paramedics to densities of bars, restaurants, and off-premise outlets controlling for other land use, demographic and roadway characteristics.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Alcohol-related crashes were not related to bar density within local SA1 units, but were positively related to bar density in adjacent SA1 units. Alcohol-related crashes were negatively related to off-premise outlet density in local SA1 units.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Examined in one metropolitan area using small spatial units, bar density is related to greater crash risk in surrounding areas. Observed negative relationships for off-premise outlets may be because the origins and destinations of alcohol-affected journeys are in distal locations relative to outlets.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Blockley Hall, 423 Guardian Drive, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States. Electronic address: christopher.morrison@monash.edu.
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Morrison
authors.affiliation: Prevention Research Center, Pacific Institute for Research & Evaluation, 180 Grand Avenue, Ste. 1200, Oakland, CA 94612, United States. Electronic address: bponicki@prev.org.
authors.forename: William R
authors.initials: WR
authors.lastname: Ponicki
authors.affiliation: Prevention Research Center, Pacific Institute for Research & Evaluation, 180 Grand Avenue, Ste. 1200, Oakland, CA 94612, United States. Electronic address: paul@prev.org.
authors.forename: Paul J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Gruenewald
authors.affiliation: Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Blockley Hall, 423 Guardian Drive, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States. Electronic address: dwiebe@exchange.upenn.edu.
authors.forename: Douglas J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Wiebe
authors.affiliation: Research and Evaluation Department, Ambulance Victoria, 31 Joseph St, Blackburn North, Victoria 3130, Australia. Electronic address: Karen.Smith@ambulance.vic.gov.au.
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000434:Alcoholic Beverages / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D001499:Bayes Theorem; D003132:Commerce / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D012147:Restaurants / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012307:Risk Factors; D062206:Spatial Analysis; D014739:Victoria
keywords: Alcohol; Crash; Density; Motor vehicle; Outlet; Spatial