The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

3206.0: Monday, November 17, 2003 - Board 4

Abstract #71295

Differences in crash characteristics and outcomes between DUI and aggressive driving crashes

Lawrence J. Cook, MStat1, Stacey Knight, MStat2, and Lenora M. Olson, MA1. (1) Intermountain Injury Control Research Center, University of Utah, 615 Arapeen Dr, Suite 202, Salt Lake City, UT 84108, 801.585.9760, larry.cook@hsc.utah.edu, (2) University of Utah School of Medicine, Intermountain Injury Control Research Center, 615 Arapeen Drive, Suite 202, Salt Lake City, UT 84108

Introduction:  Motor vehicles crashes are the leading cause of injury related mortality for people ages 1 to 34. Recent surveys have indicated that many Americans are more concerned about aggressive driving than about driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (DUI). Methods: Utah statewide crash records from 1992–2001 were probabilistically linked with emergency department (available from 1996-2000) and hospital inpatient records (available from 1992-2000). Contributing factors for the crash were used to identify the crash type. ANOVA, chi-square tests descriptive statistics are used to compare aggressive driving and DUI crashes. Results: There were 518,026 crashes; over 20,000 (4.0%) were DUI compared to nearly 16,000 (3.0%) aggressive crashes. However, aggressive crashes have increased from 2.3% of crashes in 1992 to 4.0% in 2001 (p<0.001), DUI crashes have decreased from 4.5% of crashes in 1992 to 3.8% in 2001 (p<0.001). Aggressive crashes were more likely to occur at weekday commute times, while DUI crashes were more likely to occur at during weekend evening hours. Drivers involved in aggressive driving crashes were more likely to be female (p<0.001) and younger (p<0.001) compared to drivers involved in DUI and other crashes. A larger percentage of DUI crashes resulted in ED visits, inpatient hospitalizations, and fatalities (12%, 6%, and 2%) compared to aggressive driving crashes (8%, 2%, and 1%), p<0.001. Conclusion: Results of this study may be used to identify target populations for interventions for both aggressive and DUI crashes and to educate the public about the dangers of DUI and aggressive driving.

Learning Objectives:

Keywords: Motor Vehicles, Injury Prevention

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.

Monitoring the Injury Problem: Poster Session

The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA