Drinking and driving behaviors of 16 to 19 year-olds.

A total of 192 high-school-age drivers (67 girls) were interviewed with respect to their drinking and driving behavior and academic performance. Although traffic violations and citations were correlated with increases in risky driving behavior and alcohol and drug use, much dangerous driving and social drinking went without consequence. It is suggested that the young male driver is at significantly greater risk for involvement in dangerous driving and drinking. Contributing developmental, situational and personality factors are discussed.