To study the national trend in alcohol-related crashes, a sample of 14 states was selected, and monthly accident data were collected for each state for the years 1965 through 1975. Surrogate measures for alcohol-related crashes were chosen on the basis of previous research. These measures were generated from the data base of the sample states and analyzed. Both alcohol- and non-alcohol-related surrogate measures reflected similar trends until the energy crisis (October 1973). Although all surrogate measures showed some decrease in accident rates due to the energy crisis and the 55-mph speed limit (January 1974), alcohol-related surrogates showed a slower rate of decrease, and it appears that the percentage of fatal accidents that are alcohol-related has been increasing since 1973. (Portions of this document are not fully legible).
Samenvatting