Identifying impaired drivers among the general driving population

J Stud Alcohol. 1985 Nov;46(6):531-7. doi: 10.15288/jsa.1985.46.531.

Abstract

The primary purpose of this study was to identify predictors of impaired driving among a random sample of Canadian drivers who consume beverage alcohol. A second purpose was to determine if impaired drivers in the general population have characteristics similar to those reported among convicted and accident-involved impaired drivers. Amount of alcohol consumed over the past seven days was found to be the single most powerful predictor of both frequency of drinking-driving and of impaired driving. Impaired drivers differed from moderate-drinking drivers on a number of measures and were characterized by more irresponsible attitudes and higher risk behavior, consistent with findings of other impaired-driver subgroups. It is concluded that impaired driving may be just one behavior which is part of a deviant behavioral syndrome typified by high-risk behaviors.

MeSH terms

  • Accidents, Traffic
  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Alcohol Drinking*
  • Attitude
  • Automobile Driving*
  • Educational Status
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Income
  • Male
  • Regression Analysis
  • Risk-Taking*
  • Seat Belts
  • Self-Assessment