Many within the San Diego (United States) community assumed that the problem of young people crossing the border into Tijuana (Mexico) to visit bars and night clubs was large. Of greatest concern are the number of those who drive home from the border after binge drinking. The purpose of the study presented in this scientific poster was to identify some of the characteristics of these drinkers. May 1998, marked the end of the first year of data collection with a once-a-month breath test survey on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights. Participants were recruited from vehicles, and pedestrians were randomly diverted from the stream of crossers heading back into the US. A survey was administered that collected demographic information. Using counts per hour of vehicles and pedestrians crossing the border provided by the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS), the authors were able to make projections based on their random sample. On average, crossing into the US, between 500 and 650 motorists and pedestrians planning to drive are over California's legal limit of blood alcohol content (BAC) .08 each weekend night. There were differences in demographics and occupational associations between returning motorists and pedestrians. The substantial driving under the influence (DUI) problem comes mainly from intoxicated pedestrian crossers returning to cars parked on the US side of the border.
Abstract