The following data provides estimates of alcohol involvement in fatal crashes for the United States and individually for the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico (not included in the National totals). These estimates are based on data from NHTSA’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS). Unfortunately, blood alcohol concentration (BAC) test results are not available for all drivers and nonoccupants involved in fatal crashes. Missing data can result for a number of reasons, the most common being that people are not always tested for alcohol. To address the missing data issue, NHTSA has developed and employs a statistical model to estimate the likelihood that a fatal crash-involved driver or nonoccupant was sober, had some alcohol, or was intoxicated at the time of the crash. The statistical model is based on important characteristics of the crash including crash factors (time of day, day of week, type of crash, location), vehicle factors (vehicle type and role in the crash), and person factors (age, sex, restraint use, previous driving violations), and whether or not the state had a 21-year-old minimum drinking-age law. The statistical model was developed using all available data in the aggregate (that is, at the national level) and applied to each individual driver and nonoccupant with an unknown BAC test result. The estimates presented include a mix of both known and estimated BACs. (Author/publisher)
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