This report presents the results of a study of alcohol testing and reporting methods and rates for drivers involved in fatal traffic crashes. In 2002, NHTSA’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) annual report data file recorded BACs for 65 percent of fatally injured drivers, 25 percent of surviving drivers, and 43 percent of all drivers in fatal crashes. The study’s goals were to identify the best practices for, and the barriers and problems that hinder, obtaining BAC data for drivers involved in fatal traffic crashes. The study reviewed each State’s laws affecting BAC testing, recent testing rates, and other information on each State’s practices and results. With the advice of a steering committee representing the organizations and disciplines involved in BAC testing and reporting, ten diverse States were chosen for detailed examination. This report identifies the best practices currently in use and the major barriers to increasing testing. It concludes with suggestions for implementing these best practices in States that wish to improve their BAC testing and reporting rates. (Author/publisher)
Samenvatting