THE LEGAL MINIMUM DRINKING AGE IN TEXAS: EFFECTS OF AN INCREASE FROM 18 TO 19

Effects on motor vehicle crash involvement of raising the legal drinking age in Texas to 19 were examined, using an interrupted time-series design. Rates of single-vehicle-nighttime (SVN) and non-SVN crashes per 100,000 licensed drivers from 1978 through 1984 were examined for 3 levels of crash severity. Results revealed significant reductions in SVN crashes for the 18-year-old target population across all levels of crash severity. In comparison, no significantl changes in SVN crashes among drivers age 21 and over were found. When the effects of macroeconomic conditions on crash rates were controlled statistically, no change in the estimated effect of the legal age law was seen. It is clear that the 1-year increase in legal age in Texas had a significant effect on youth crash involvement.

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

  Pergamon Press, Incorporated

  Maxwell House, Fairview Park
  Elmsford, NY  United States  10523
• Authors:
  • Wagenaar, A C
  • Maybee, R G
• Publication Date: 1986

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 165-178
• Serial:
  • Journal of Safety Research
  • Volume: 17
  • Issue Number: 4
  • Publisher: Elsevier
  • ISSN: 0022-4375
  • Serial URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/00224375

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Crash severity; Legal drinking age; Macroeconomics; Measures of effectiveness; Night; Prevention; Safety; Single vehicle crashes; Traffic crashes
• Uncontrolled Terms: Effectiveness
• Geographic Terms: Texas
• Subject Areas: Economics; Safety and Human Factors; Security and Emergencies;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00495906
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: HS-039 698
• Files: HSL, USDOT
• Created Date: Aug 31 1990 12:00AM