Distribution of drinking variables by BACs of fatally injured drivers,* 1993; values are number (%)
| Zero BAC | Low–moderate BAC 0.01–0.09 g/dl | High BAC 0.10–0.14 g/dl | Very high BAC 0.15+ g/dl | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| *Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) and National Mortality Followback Survey, 1993. | ||||
| †Interviewer explained: “By alcoholic or problem drinker, I mean a person who has physical or emotional problems because of drinking, problems with a spouse, family or friends because of drinking, problems at work or school because of drinking, problems with money because of drinking, or problems with the police because of drinking, such as drunk driving.” | ||||
| ‡Based on number of times usually drank per week/month multiplied by usual drinks per day on days that subject drank, see table 1. | ||||
| Convictions (FARS) | ||||
| Conviction for driving under influence or while intoxicated 3 years before crash (n=804) | ||||
| Yes | 8 (2) | 1 (2) | 4 (7) | 46 (19) |
| Last month of life | ||||
| “Was X a problem drinker?”† (n=757) | ||||
| Yes | 6 (1) | 0 | 5 (10) | 72 (31) |
| Place driving from at time of fatal crash | ||||
| Bar/tavern/nightclub | 1 (0) | 1 (2) | 4 (10) | 49 (26) |
| Decedent’s home | 120 (35) | 11 (25) | 6 (15) | 27 (14) |
| Other people’s homes/restaurant | 75 (22) | 12 (27) | 15 (37) | 64 (34) |
| Work/school/church | 69 (20) | 9 (20) | 3 (7) | 14 (7) |
| Personal errands/other | 82 (24) | 11 (25) | 13 (32) | 37 (19) |
| Last year of life | ||||
| Usual number of drinks per day on days when decedent drank | ||||
| 5+ drinks | 24 (6) | 10 (20) | 16 (39) | 81 (41) |
| 3–4 drinks | 9 (2) | 4 (8) | 3 (7) | 44 (22) |
| 1–3 drinks | 124 (31) | 25 (49) | 12 (29) | 61 (31) |
| <1 drink or not drinking | 240 (60) | 12 (24) | 10 (24) | 12 (6) |
| Total | 397 (100) | 51 (100) | 41 (100) | 198 (100) |
| How often had 5+ drinks at one time | ||||
| At least once a week | 21 (5) | 10 (20) | 15 (38) | 84 (43) |
| 1–3 times/month | 6 (2) | 3 (6) | 3 (8) | 21 (11) |
| Less than once a month | 20 (5) | 3 (6) | 2 (5) | 18 (9) |
| Not applicable | 348 (88) | 33 (67) | 20 (50) | 72 (37) |
| Total | 395 (100) | 49 (100) | 40 (100) | 195 (100) |
| Drinking quantity-frequency categories‡ | ||||
| Very heavy | 8 (2) | 3 (6) | 6 (15) | 57 (29) |
| Heavy | 21 (5) | 11 (22) | 13 (33) | 62 (32) |
| Moderate | 42 (11) | 11 (22) | 6 (15) | 41 (21) |
| Light | 219 (55) | 19 (37) | 8 (20) | 32 (16) |
| Non-drinkers | 106 (27) | 7 (14) | 7 (18) | 4 (2) |
| Total | 396 (100) | 51 (100) | 40 (100) | 196 (100) |
| Drinking and driving frequency | ||||
| At least weekly | 17 (4) | 6 (13) | 8 (20) | 68 (40) |
| 1–3 times/month | 14 (4) | 5 (10) | 6 (15) | 26 (15) |
| At least once a year | 20 (5) | 4 (8) | 6 (15) | 28 (17) |
| Not drinking and driving | 345 (87) | 33 (69) | 20 (50) | 47 (28) |
| Total | 396 (100) | 48 (100) | 40 (100) | 169 (100) |
| Number of drinks when drinking and driving | ||||
| 5+ drinks | 9 (2) | 2 (4) | 8 (20) | 43 (26) |
| 3–4 drinks | 4 (1) | 3 (6) | 3 (8) | 30 (18) |
| 1–2 drinks | 36 (9) | 10 (21) | 9 (23) | 47 (28) |
| Not drinking and driving | 345 (88) | 33 (69) | 20 (50) | 47 (28) |
| Total | 394 (100) | 48 (100) | 40 (100) | 167 (100) |
| Drinking and driving within 2 hours after having 5+ drinks, at least monthly (n=653) | ||||
| Yes | 8 (2) | 2 (4) | 6 (15) | 36 (21) |