In 1995 in the United States, for the first time in a decade, the percentage of alcohol-related fatalities did not decrease - they remained constant at 41 percent of all those killed in highway crashes. There was basically no change in 1996. Since 1986, this percentage had steadily declined by a total of 21 percent - from 52 percent. The 17,274 alcohol-related deaths in 1995 represented an increase of 4 percent over the previous year (NHTSA, 1996a, Stewart, 1995). While this figure is down considerably from the 24,045 who died in alcohol-related crashes in 1986, the 1995 increase is troubling. At the same time there was a move to reduce spending and to allow the States much more latitude in dealing with many issues, including traffic safety. In order to discuss this important issue a workshop was held at the National Academy of Science Conference Center in August 1996. The purpose of the workshop was to develop guidance to governments at all levels, safety advocates and private industry. (A)
Samenvatting