For more than a decade, rates of alcohol-related crashes have been declining in the United States. Alcohol-related fatalities dropped from 23,626 in 1988 to 15,935 in 1998, a 33 percent reduction. The rate of alcohol involvement in traffic crashes has also declined - from 50 percent in 1988 to 38 percent in 1998. While there have been slight fluctuations in the general declining numbers of alcohol-related fatalities since 1982, the ratio of alcohol-related fatalities to non-alcohol-related fatalities has steadily decreased from 1.34 in 1982 to 1.00 in 1988 to 0.62 in 1998. This progress has been attributed to stronger laws, tougher enforcement and adjudication, and changes in social norms, among other factors. With what groups has the most progress been made? What populations present the most serious continued problems? And, most importantly, what must be done to continue the progress that has been made? This paper discusses recent trends and pinpoints where further efforts should be focused. Major reasons for the declines in impaired driving are presented. How progress in key areas can be continued is discussed. Finally, some promising approaches for further reductions in alcohol-related crashes are presented and some of the barriers that must be overcome are considered.
Abstract