This report presents estimates of alcohol involvement in fatal traffic crashes that occurred during 1996. The data represent a combination of actual blood alcohol concentration (BAC) test results recorded in the Fatal Accident Reporting System (FARS) and estimated BAC for those drivers and nonoccupants for whom BAC test results are not available. BAC estimates are obtained using a statistical model developed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). In 1996, 32% of all fatalities occurred in crashes with a driver or nonoccupant with a BAC of at least 0.10. This represents a 30.9% reduction compared to 1982, when 46.3% of all fatalities occurred in crashes involving an intoxicated (BAC >/= 0.10) driver or nonoccupant. Occupant fatalities resulting from crashes involving an intoxicated driver or nonoccupant totaled 10,992. Almost 42% (41.9%) of the occupant fatalities in single-vehicle fatal crashes involved an intoxicated driver, compared with 21.2% of the occupant fatalities in multi-vehicle fatal crashes. An estimated 38.1% of the fatalities in nonoccupant crashes involved an intoxicated driver or nonoccupant. Almost two-thirds (65.8%) of the driver fatalities in single-vehicle fatal crashes on weekend nights were intoxicated. Male drivers involved in fatal crashes were almost twice as likely as female drivers to be intoxicated (21.4% vs. 11.1%, respectively). Drivers aged 25-29 exhibit the highest rates of intoxication (27.2%) followed by drivers aged 21-24 (27%). Drivers aged 16-20 were intoxicated 14.1% of the time. Between 1982-1996, estimated reductions in the proportion of intoxicated drivers in fatal crashes are 39% for passenger car drivers, 37% for light trucks and vans, 69% for heavy trucks and 25% for motorcycles. (Author/publisher)
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