DRINKING AND DRIVING IN AMERICA: DISTURBING FACTS-ENCOURAGING REDUCTIONS

Initiated in 1975 and maintained by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the Fatal Accident Reporting System (FARS) is an electronic data system which contains information on the majority of fatal motor vehicle crashes within the United States, Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico. The information, which incorporates approximately 100 data elements, is used to define problems associated with traffic fatalities and to evaluate the effects of legislation which treats this problem. The article explores such relevant concerns as evaluation of BACs in crashes, alcohol involvement and time of crash, age and/or sex of driver, problem drinkers, the decrease in alcohol involvement, factors which have contributed to this decline, evidence which supports the effect of countermeasures, and suggestions to further reduce the number of alcohol-related fatal crashes. Tables and graphs provide numerical data which supplement the textual information.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/0090838X
• Corporate Authors:

  US National Inst on Alcohol Abuse & Alcoholism

  P.O. Box 2345
  Rockville, MD  United States  20852
• Authors:
  • Fell, J C
• Publication Date: 1990

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 18-25
• Serial:
  • Alcohol Health and Research World
  • Volume: 14
  • Issue Number: 1
  • Publisher: US National Inst on Alcohol Abuse & Alcoholism
  • ISSN: 0090-838X

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Alcohol abuse; Alcohol use; Blood alcohol levels; Data management; Driver education; Driver licenses; Driver performance; Drivers; Drunk drivers; Drunk driving; Impaired drivers; Information processing; Information, data, and knowledge; Laws; Legislation; Personnel performance; Revocation; Safety programs; Suspensions; Traffic safety education
• Identifier Terms: Fatal Accident Reporting System
• Uncontrolled Terms: Data needs; Driver license suspension
• Old TRIS Terms: Alcohol education programs; Driver impairment; Driver license revocation
• Subject Areas: Data and Information Technology; Education and Training; Highways; Law; Safety and Human Factors; I83: Accidents and the Human Factor;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00601059
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jan 31 1991 12:00AM