In a September 2002 telephone survey of more than 400 young adults aged 19 to 25, conducted by the California Alcohol Forum and the California Office of Traffic Safety, the vast majority of respondents reported that under-aged drinkers find it somewhat or very easy to obtain alcohol. Under-age respondents reported that the last time they drank they got alcohol from a party or from friends or acquaintances. Thirty-four percent of respondents reported they had driven after drinking, and 17% reported driving when they thought they had consumed too much to drive safely. Men were more likely to report driving after drinking than women, by a rate of 41% to 28%. Men were also more likely than women to report having driven when they thought they had too much to drink to drive safely. Respondents age 21 and over were significantly more likely to report driving after drinking than those younger than 21. More than half said it was somewhat or very likely to be stopped by police while driving after drinking. The majority thought it somewhat or very likely they would be arrested if stopped for driving after drinking. Nearly two-thirds of all respondents knew that the blood alcohol concentration limit was .08%, and roughly the same number thought it would take them one to two drinks to reach the legal limit. The presence of a sober friend or relative was the factor respondents cited most often as one that would keep them from driving after drinking. The second most popular alternative was a Safe Rides/Free Cabs program.
Samenvatting