Studies were reviewed to determine the extent to which drivers arrested for driving while intoxicated (dwi) and crash-involved drivers impaired by alcohol are similar in age. Data indicate that younger drivers are substantially underrepresented in the dwi arrest population relative to their presence in the alcohol-related crash population. Overall the proportion of arrested drivers less than ages 20 was only one fourth to one-third the proportion of these drivers involved in fatal crashes, and for those aged 20-29 it was two-thirds tothree-fourths. The reasons for the underrepresentation of young drivers in the arrested population are not fully known and require further study. Youtful drivers constitute the major part of the alcohol-related crash problem, and effective ways to address this population most at risk should be sought.
Samenvatting