Female drinking and driving: recent trends in North Carolina.

Data on driver licensing, DWI arrests, crashes, and fatalities in the State of North Carolina from the mid-70s to the mid-80s are analyzed to examine trends in drinking and driving by women. Findings presented are based on rates per licensed driver. Results suggest that more women are driving and are experiencing greater exposure to the hazards of drinking and driving. DWI arrest rates for women increased by 43% while rates for men decreased by 9%. Likewise, the proportion of legally intoxicated drivers among women is increasing. Women account for a growing proportion of alcohol-related (A/R) crashes and their involvement in single vehicle nighttime crashes is increasing. A dramatic decrease was observed in A/R fatalities in the male licensed driving population. This decrease was not paralleled by women. Authors conclude women will make up an increasing proportion of those arrested and convicted for DWI and will have more A/R crashes. Findings have implications for the design and implementation of education, deterrence, enforcement, and rehabilitation programs.