David W Eby1, Lisa J Molnar2, Lidia P Kostyniuk2, Renée M St Louis2, Nicole Zanier2, James M Lepkowski3, Gwen Bergen4. 1. University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute, United States. Electronic address: eby@umich.edu. 2. University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute, United States. 3. University of Michigan, Institute for Social Research, United States. 4. Division of Unintentional Injury Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, United States.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Although the number of alcohol-impaired driving (AID) fatalities has declined over the past several years, AID continues to be a serious public health problem. The purpose of this effort was to gain a better understanding of the U.S. driving population's perceptions and thoughts about the impacts of lowering the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) driving standard below.08% on AID, health, and other outcomes. METHODS: A questionnaire was administered to a nationally representative sample of licensed drivers in the U.S. (n=1011) who were of age 21 or older on driving habits, alcohol consumption habits, drinking and driving habits, attitudes about drinking and driving, experiences with and opinions of drinking and driving laws, opinions about strategies to reduce drinking and driving, general concerns about traffic safety issues, and demographics. RESULTS: One-third of participants supported lowering the legal BAC standard, and participants rated a BAC standard of .05% to be moderately acceptable on average. 63.9% indicated that lowering 30 the BAC to .05% would have no effect on their decisions to drink and drive. Nearly 60% of respondents lacked accurate knowledge of their state's BAC standard. CONCLUSIONS: Public support for lowering the BAC standard was moderate and was partially tied to beliefs about the impacts of a change in the BAC standard. The results suggest that an opportunity for better educating the driving population about existing AID policy and the implications for lowering the BAC level on traffic injury prevention. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: The study results are useful for state traffic safety professionals and policy makers to have a better understanding of the public's perceptions of and thoughts about BAC standards. There is a clear need for more research into the effects of lowering the BAC standard on crashes, arrests, AID behavior, and alcohol-related behaviors.
INTRODUCTION: Although the number of alcohol-impaired driving (AID) fatalities has declined over the past several years, AID continues to be a serious public health problem. The purpose of this effort was to gain a better understanding of the U.S. driving population's perceptions and thoughts about the impacts of lowering the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) driving standard below.08% on AID, health, and other outcomes. METHODS: A questionnaire was administered to a nationally representative sample of licensed drivers in the U.S. (n=1011) who were of age 21 or older on driving habits, alcohol consumption habits, drinking and driving habits, attitudes about drinking and driving, experiences with and opinions of drinking and driving laws, opinions about strategies to reduce drinking and driving, general concerns about traffic safety issues, and demographics. RESULTS: One-third of participants supported lowering the legal BAC standard, and participants rated a BAC standard of .05% to be moderately acceptable on average. 63.9% indicated that lowering 30 the BAC to .05% would have no effect on their decisions to drink and drive. Nearly 60% of respondents lacked accurate knowledge of their state's BAC standard. CONCLUSIONS: Public support for lowering the BAC standard was moderate and was partially tied to beliefs about the impacts of a change in the BAC standard. The results suggest that an opportunity for better educating the driving population about existing AID policy and the implications for lowering the BAC level on traffic injury prevention. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: The study results are useful for state traffic safety professionals and policy makers to have a better understanding of the public's perceptions of and thoughts about BAC standards. There is a clear need for more research into the effects of lowering the BAC standard on crashes, arrests, AID behavior, and alcohol-related behaviors.
Authors: Gwen Bergen; Adesola Pitan; Shuli Qu; Ruth A Shults; Sajal K Chattopadhyay; Randy W Elder; David A Sleet; Heidi L Coleman; Richard P Compton; James L Nichols; John M Clymer; William B Calvert Journal: Am J Prev Med Date: 2014-05 Impact factor: 5.043
Authors: Marlene C Lira; Vishnudas Sarda; Timothy C Heeren; Matthew Miller; Timothy S Naimi Journal: Am J Prev Med Date: 2020-03-16 Impact factor: 5.043