The potentiating effects of alcohol on driver injury.

This study examined 1397 patients, presenting to a level 1 Trauma Center for treatment of motor vehicle injury. Crash reports were obtained for all patients in the analyses, and most had objective measures of BAC. For non admitted patients alcohol impairment was strongly associated with greater injury, taking into account crash severity. For admitted patients relationships were much less clear, although medical evidence of chronic alcohol use was associated with higher current BAC, higher ISS (Injury Severity Score), was Lower Trauma Scores.