Over the last decade, the number of deaths and injuries related to impaired driving has declined significantly in the United States as well as in other industrialized countries. For example, in 1982, 57 percent of all highway fatalities in the U.S. involved a driver with measurable blood alcohol level. By 1992, this figure had decreased to less than 46 percent of fatalities. At the same time, the total number of traffic fatalities decreased from 43,945 in 1982 to 39,235 in 1992. An understanding of this significant social change can indicate how further decreases might be achieved. Possible explanations are discussed together with the factors that can contribute to further reductions in fatalities. Finally, in fatalities. Finally, it is argued that some lessons about the mitigation of other social problems could be learned from these experiences gained concerning impaired driving.
Abstract