The relationship between use of alcohol and place of death in vehicular fatalities.

Police, ambulance, and medical examiners's records were linked for all of the 739 traffic fatalities occurring in Maryland in 1985. Overall, positive blood alcohol levels were detected in 44% of the 640 decedents for whom testing was performed.Victims who were intoxicated were significantly more likely to die at the scene or be dead on arrival at a hospital than to be admitted for treatment.