Alcohol and Drug Use in Fatally Injured Drivers in States that Test over 80% for Both Alcohol and Drugs

Objective: To examine personal and crash characteristics of fatally injured drivers who tested positive for alcohol and other drugs. Methods: U.S. Fatality Analysis Reporting System data for 2008-09 were examined in nine states that tested 80%+ of fatally injured drivers (N=6,163) for alcohol and other drugs. Results: Of tested drivers, 47% were negative for both alcohol and drugs, 12% were positive for both, 27% for alcohol only, and 15% for drugs only. Marijuana was detected in 10%, stimulants 8%, narcotics 5%, and depressants 4%. Among drivers of passenger vehicles (75% of drivers), alcohol was more often present in younger drivers, 40% < age 21, 50% age 21-59 vs. 14% ages 60+ , male drivers 46% vs. 27% female drivers, drivers with prior DWI convictions 76%, speeding 40%, and other offenses 50% (vs. 40% of other drivers). Alcohol was present in 64% of weekend night crashes vs. 17% of weekday daytime crashes. In contrast, drivers testing positive for drugs were only slightly more often young. They were not more likely to be male or in nighttime weekend crashes. They were only somewhat more likely to be in single-vehicle crashes (30% vs. 20%), to have had prior crashes (36%), license suspensions (43%), DWI convictions (39%), speeding, or other violations (36% vs. 25% not positive). Conclusions: Predictors of alcohol and drug involvement in fatal crashes differ. Case/control studies need to determine whether drug use independently or combined with alcohol heightens fatal crash risk.