The study assessed the prevalence of driving under the influenceof alcohol and marijuana among a sample of 18- and 21-year-olds andexamined the across-time relationships between intoxicated driving and consumption, risk-taking/impulsive orientation, negative intrapersonal state, stress and use of alcohol and other drugs to cope withproblems. The date indicated that at least a minimum level of drinking and driving, as well as smoking marijuana and driving, is engaged in at least once for the majority of youth. The frequency of substance use was strongly related to frequency of driving while intoxicated. Coping use of substance was found to be the strongest predictorof driving under the influence. Model studies showed that risk-taking orientation was the strongest predictor of dwi, both directly andindirectly. Findings suggest that impaired driving may be part of aglobal syndrome of risk-taking behavior and is an activity engaed in most often by those who frequently use alcohol and other drugs to cope with problems.
Abstract