TEENAGE DRIVER FATALITIES FOLLOWING REDUCTION IN THE LEGAL DRINKING AGE

Data accumulated over 6 years through the mandatory Wisconsin program for blood alcohol testing of traffic fatalities were analyzed to determine the effect of reduction in the legal drinking age. No significant increase in alcohol-involved traffic fatalities among youthful drivers was found following the change from availability of beer only to statewide availability of all alcoholic beverages at age 18. Approximately 60% of all tested driver fatalities aged 18 to 20 had appreciable blood alcohol concentrations (0.05 + %), and this proportion remained substantially the same throughout the study period, 1968-1973. Alcohol involvement among 18 to 20 year old victims tested was less frequent than for those aged 21 to 44. There was no evidence that small blood alcohol concentrations enhanced the likelihood of fatal accidents in youth more than in older persons.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/1800052
• Corporate Authors:

  National Safety Council

  425 North Michigan Avenue
  Chicago, IL  United States  60611
• Authors:
  • Naor, E M
  • Nashold, R D
• Publication Date: 1975-6

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 74-79
• Serial:
  • Journal of Safety Research
  • Volume: 7
  • Issue Number: 2
  • Publisher: Elsevier
  • ISSN: 0022-4375
  • Serial URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/00224375

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Adolescents; Blood alcohol levels; Drivers; Drunk drivers; Drunk driving; Fatalities; Laws; Teenage drivers
• Subject Areas: Highways; Law; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00098805
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Highway Safety Research Institute
• Report/Paper Numbers: DL 70-001(001-003)
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Oct 18 1975 12:00AM