OBJECTIVES: During the past 20 years, states have embraced varied measures to increase motor vehicle traffic safety. This study aimed to determine the impact of alcohol and traffic safety policies on youth motor vehicle fatalities. The policies considered were: (1) raising the minimum drinking age; (2) zero tolerance for alcohol in drivers below the legal drinking age; (3) 0.08 maximum driver BAC per se laws; (4) administrative license revocation laws ; and (5) secondary and primary seat belt laws. METHODS: Data in the national Fatal Analysis Reporting System (FARS) census of crash deaths for 1985 to 1999 were analyzed. Time series regression models were applied to monthly data for 50 states and the District of Columbia to determine the impact of alcohol and traffic safety public policies on youth motor vehicle fatalities. RESULTS: Overall, youth motor vehicle fatalities declined over this time period. After controlling for differences among states on selected background variables, varying effects were observed. The preventive effects of raising the minimum drinking age, zero tolerance, administrative license revocation, and secondary seat belt laws on youth fatalities were clear. Although the positive incrementally effects of raising minimum drinking were observed, they were not always significant. Other general climate effects conformed to theoretical expectations. For example, increased per capita alcohol consumption was associated with more fatalities. CONCLUSIONS: Combined alcohol and traffic safety policies significantly reduced motor vehicle fatalities. This study provides additional information for targeting and prioritizing prevention activities that will reduce this risk even further.
Learning Objectives: Participants will be able to understand and interpret the combined effects of alcohol and traffic safety policies on motor vehicle fatalities and their implications for prevention strategies.
Keywords: Alcohol, Motor Vehicles
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.