Racial/ethnic differences in alcohol-involvement among drivers fatally injured in traffic crashes: United States, 2003–2004

Background. Previous research reported considerable racial/ethnic differences in alcohol involvement among drivers killed in traffic crashes during the early 1990s (Voas et al. 2000). Continued efforts in providing detailed epidemiologic information on drinking and driving among racial and ethnic groups are fundamental to effectively addressing alcohol-related health disparities.

Methods. Data for all drivers fatally injured in traffic crashes during 2003–2004 from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System were analyzed. Alcohol involvement was defined as having a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .01g/dl or higher. The proportion of alcohol-involved drivers was compared across racial/ethnic groups, including White, Black, American Indian, Asian/Pacific Islander, and Hispanic (with further breaking down by national origin). Characteristics of alcohol-involved drivers were also compared across these groups.

Results. Considerable racial/ethnic differences in drinking and driving persisted. American Indian drivers had the highest alcohol involvement (54%), followed by Hispanics (46%), Blacks (37%), Whites (34%), and Asian/Pacific Islanders (22%). Adjusting for age and gender compositions, the odds for alcohol involvement remained in the same order across these groups. Among alcohol-involved drivers, the average BAC ranged 0.19–0.16 for these groups in the same order as well. Within Hispanics, substantial variations occurred between subgroups. Compared with White drivers, the odds for alcohol involvement was 40% higher for Mexican drivers, while it was not significantly different for Central/South American drivers and close to 30% lower for Puerto Rican and Cuban drivers.

Implications. Further research is needed to examine reasons for subgroup differences and whether tailored intervention strategies would be more effective.