01133885

Component

http://www.trb.org/Publications/Blurbs/161810.aspx

In spite of reductions in alcohol-related deaths among young vehicle occupants from 1982 through the mid-1990s, little progress has been made since that time. Laws, enforcement, and sanctions were key factors associated with early declines and such efforts likely provide the foundation for further progress. However, another aspect of alcohol-related fatalities affects all age groups and that is low seat belt use. Most persons who die in alcohol-related crashes are not buckled up and this is particularly the case late at night, when younger drivers and their passengers are more prevalent on the roadway. This paper suggests that there is considerable overlap between occupants (of all ages) who are killed in alcohol-related crashes and those victims who are unbuckled. It suggests that, along with efforts to deter impaired drivers, more emphasis should be placed on increasing seat belt usage among potential alcohol-related crash victims. At least a portion of such emphasis should be shifted to nighttime hours when impaired driving and seat belt non-use are at their highest levels and when the majority of unbuckled, alcohol-related fatal crashes occur. In the 24 states with secondary seat belt laws, upgrades that allow for primary enforcement, combined with intensified and high visibility enforcement efforts, provide the greatest potential for reducing alcohol-related deaths. Combined nighttime enforcement programs and primary law upgrades have considerable potential to further reduce alcohol-related deaths among all age groups.

01133870

English

pp 187-203

2009-6

Transportation Research Circular

Young Impaired Drivers: The Nature of the Problem and Possible Solutions

Web

Figures (12) ; References

Drunk driving; Fatalities; Law enforcement; Night; Passengers; Seat belt use; Seat belts; Teenage drivers

Primary enforcement; Primary enforcement laws; Secondary enforcement

Highways; Safety and Human Factors; I83: Accidents and the Human Factor

TRIS, TRB

Jul 16 2009 4:38PM

• A Review of the Young Impaired Driver Problem in Australia, with a Particular Focus on New South Wales
• Alcohol Monitoring Technologies: Applications for Youth and Young Impaired Drivers
• Crash Types: Markers of Increased Risk of Alcohol-Involved Crashes Among Teen Drivers
• Criminal Sanctions for Young Impaired Drivers
• Drink Driving and Drug Driving Enforcement Strategies in Australia
• Effects of 21 Minimum Legal Drinking Age Laws on Alcohol-Related Driving in the United States
• Effects of a College Community Campaign on Drinking and Driving with a Strong Enforcement Component
• Females and Alcohol-Related Fatal Crashes: Exposure-Adjusted Trends
• History and Effects of Graduated Licensing and Zero Tolerance
• Lack of Information from National Surveys: What We Still Need to Learn About Transition Teens
• Psychosocial and Behavioral Factors That Predict Impaired and Other Risky Driving: Findings from a Longitudinal Study
• Single-Vehicle Fatal Crashes Involving Youth: Trends and a Preliminary Analysis of the Role of Graduated Driver Licensing Laws
• The Consequences of Providing Drinkers with BAC Information on Assessments of Alcohol Impairment and Drunk-Driving Risk
• The Impact of Underage Drinking and Related Laws on Youth Alcohol-Related Fatal Crashes
• The Nature of the Young Impaired Driver Problem in Europe
• The Perspective on Campus
• Young DUI Offenders Seen in Substance Abuse Treatment
• Young Impaired Driver Involvement in Fatal Crashes
• Young Impaired Drivers: The Nature of the Problem and the Strategies Being Used in the Military