Drunk driving among American blacks and Hispanics

doi:10.1016/0001-4575(91)90029-5

Accident Analysis & Prevention

Volume 23, Issue 1, February 1991, Pages 1-11

https://doi.org/10.1016/0001-4575(91)90029-5 Get rights and content

Abstract

This paper reports the results of a literature search to determine the extent and nature of minority group involvement in drunk driving. Most of the research supports the view that American blacks and Hispanics are disproportionately more likely to be drunk drivers. However, the evidence is not fully consistent. The general relationship seems to be reduced or even reversed for minority youth. Furthermore, studies based on self-reported behavior contradict those based on official statistics such as alcohol-related deaths, traffic arrests, and accidents. Self reports generally show less drunk driving among the minority groups.

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Cited by (44)

The relative risk of involvement in fatal crashes as a function of race/ethnicity and blood alcohol concentration
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Citation Excerpt :
Also using self-reported data, Quinlan, colleagues (2005) using the 1993, 1995, and 1997 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) found that African-American and Hispanic drivers reported drinking and driving in the past month less and as often as White drivers, respectively. It has been argued that the reduced prevalence estimates of drinking and driving among Hispanics compared to that often coming from crash and arrest data could be caused by self-reported bias, with Hispanics underreporting drinking and driving more often than Whites (Bond & Cherpitel, 2004; Ross et al., 1991). However, data coming from the 2007 National Roadside Survey (NRS), a national survey of alcohol and drug use among U.S. drivers, supports the self-reported finding that Hispanics do not drink and drive more often than Whites.
The literature presents a puzzling picture of Latinos being overrepresented in alcohol-related crashes, but not in noncrash drinking and driving. This report examines if, like other demographic variables in which some groups are at a higher crash risk than others (e.g., young drivers), different racial/ethnic groups face different crash risks.
This study compares blood-alcohol information from the 2006–2007 U.S. Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) with control data from the 2007 U.S. National Roadside Survey. Logistic regression, including a dual interaction between BAC and race/ethnicity, was used to estimate crash risk at different BAC levels.
It was found that, although Hispanic and African-American drivers were less likely to be involved in single-vehicle crashes than their White counterparts, all drivers face similar BAC relative crash risk regardless of their group membership. The overrepresentation of Latino drivers in alcohol-related crashes could be explained by differences in patterns of consumption, driving exposure, lack of awareness of driving rules, and/or socioeconomics.
Racial differences in speeding patterns: Exploring the differential offending hypothesis
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Disproportionate minority contact during traffic stops has been a consistent source of commentary and study in recent years. While various theoretical perspectives have been employed to explain these empirical findings, the differential offending hypotheses has been largely ignored as a viable alternative explanation. Building on existing empirical evidence regarding criminal offending patterns and driving patterns, we examined the veracity of this explanation using data from an observational study of urban driving behavior.
Data were collected using an observational methodology in an urban environment. These data were then used to estimate various regression models and test the differential offending hypothesis.
Analytic models indicated that Black drivers speed more frequently and engage in more severe speeding compared to White drivers, net of controls.
The findings suggest that citizen risk for specific police behavior is partially attributable to differential behavior prior to the encounter. These results mirror the findings of previous research in other geographic locations using different methodologies; thus, contributing to the conclusion that understanding officer decision-making and behavior requires consideration of other factors beyond a citizen's race.
Traffic law knowledge disparity between hispanics and non-hispanic whites in California
2011, Journal of Emergency Medicine
Citation Excerpt :
The Hispanic population is also more likely to demonstrate risky behaviors when they are involved in MVCs. Several studies have reported that Hispanic motorists are over-represented in alcohol-related traffic collisions (5–7). One of these studies, which looked at injured motorists admitted to trauma centers in Illinois, reported that Hispanic crash victims had lower rates of safety belt use and higher rates of alcohol involvement than NHW motorists (5).
Background: The Hispanic population is one group that is involved in a disproportionately high percentage of fatal motor vehicle collisions in the United States. Study Objectives: This study investigated demographic factors contributing to a lack of knowledge and awareness of traffic laws among Hispanic drivers involved in motor vehicle collisions (MVCs) in southern California. Methods: The cross-sectional study enrolled adults (n = 190) involved in MVCs presenting to a Level I trauma center in southern California over a 7-month period. Subjects completed a survey about California traffic law knowledge (TLK) consisting of eight multiple-choice questions. The mean number of questions answered correctly was compared between groups defined by demographic data. Results: The mean number of TLK questions answered correctly by Hispanic and non-Hispanic white groups were significantly different at 4.13 and 4.62, respectively (p = 0.005; 95% confidence interval −0.83 to −0.15). Scores were significantly lower in subjects who were not fluent in English, had less than a high school education, did not possess a current driver's license, and received their TLK from sources other than a driver's education class or Department of Motor Vehicle materials. Analysis of variance showed that the source of knowledge was the strongest predictor of accurate TLK. Conclusion: Source of TLK is a major contributing factor to poor TLK in Hispanics. An emphasis on culturally specific traffic law education is needed.
The Hispanic Americans Baseline Alcohol Survey (HABLAS): Rates and predictors of DUI across Hispanic national groups
2008, Accident Analysis and Prevention
This paper examines rates of self-reported driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol and 12-month and lifetime DUI arrest rates among Mexican Americans, Puerto Ricans, Cuban Americans and South/Central Americans in the U.S. population. Using a multistage cluster sample design, a total of 5224 individuals 18 years of age and older were selected from the household population in five metropolitan areas of the U.S.: Miami, New York, Philadelphia, Houston and Los Angeles. The survey weighted response rate was 76%. Among men, 21% of Mexican Americans, 19.9% of South/Central Americans, 11.6% of Puerto Ricans and 6.9% of Cuban Americans reported DUI. Rates were lower among women, ranging from 9.7% for Mexican Americans to 1.3% for Cuban Americans. Mexican American men had the highest 12-month arrest rate (1.6%) and the highest lifetime arrest rate (11.2%). Drinkers who reported DUI were heavier drinkers than those not reporting DUI according to a variety of indicators. However, most DUI incidents involved non-alcohol-dependent drivers. Mexican Americans and South Central/Americans, men, younger drivers, those with less than high school education, those with higher income and higher alcohol consumption were more likely to report DUI and DUI arrests. These findings show that Hispanic national groups in the U.S. are diverse regarding drinking and DUI-related experiences.
Twelve-month prevalence and changes in driving after drinking: United States, 1991-1992 and 2001-2002
2005, Drug and Alcohol Dependence
Drinking and driving has been identified as one of the most important contributors of motor vehicle fatalities. This paper addressed the existing gap in our public health knowledge regarding the current prevalence of driving after drinking and how this has changed over the past decade.
Prevalence rates of drinking and driving in 2001–2002, and changes in those prevalence rates between 1991–1992 and 2001–2002 were examined in two large nationally representative surveys of the U.S. population.
Overall, the prevalence of driving after drinking was 2.9% in 2001–2002 representing approximately six million U.S. adults. This rate was about three quarters of the rate observed in 1991–1992 (3.7%), reflecting a 22% reduction. Generally, the male–female differentials in the rate of driving after drinking decreased over the past decade. However, the sex ratios increased substantially for underaged youth over the past decade, reflecting the sharp decrease in prevalence of driving after drinking among 18–20-year-old women. Constant and emerging subgroups at high risk for drinking and driving included Whites, Native Americans, males, underaged young adults and 21–25-year-olds.
The results of this study highlighted the need to continue to monitor prevalence and changes in driving after drinking. Results are discussed in the context of strengthening existing prevention and intervention efforts and developing new programs with the sociodemographic differentials observed in this study in mind.
Driving under the influence (DUI) among U.S. ethnic groups
2005, Accident Analysis and Prevention
Citation Excerpt :
Cross-ethnic differences in arrest rates and the probability of arrest in relation to reports of drinking and driving without arrest have been discussed before (Caetano and Clark, 2000), and continue to raise questions about police enforcement of DUI laws. The issue of potential police profiling continues to be the object of debate among members of minority communities, especially among Hispanics, who have a high rate of arrest for drinking and driving (Ross et al., 1991; Tashima and Helander, 2000). On the other hand, it is also known that Hispanics and some Native American groups have patterns of drinking that include higher rates of drunkenness and of drinking five or more drinks per occasion (Caetano and Clark, 1998).
To report nationwide survey data on driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs (DUI) among U.S. ethnic groups.
Data come from a probability sample of 39,250 adults 18 years of age and older interviewed by the U.S. National Household Survey on Drug Abuse in 2000. Interviews averaging 1 h in length were conducted in respondents’ homes by trained interviewers. The survey response rate was 74%.
Self-reported rates of DUI were highest among White men (22%), Native American/Native Alaskan men (20.8%) and men of Mixed race (22.5%). Twelve-month arrest rates for DUI were highest among men of Mixed race (5%) and Native American/Native Alaskan men (3.2%). Drinkers who DUI are more likely to be men (regardless of ethnicity), not married, consume more alcohol, and be alcohol dependent than drinkers who do not engage in alcohol-impaired driving. However, important ethnic specific predictors are also identified across the different ethnic groups.

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^☆: ∗This is a reformulation and updating of the authors' background paper for the Panel on Youth and Other Special Populations of the Surgeon General's Workshop on Drunk Driving held in Washington, DC on December 14–16, 1988.

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Drunk driving among American blacks and Hispanics☆

Abstract

Cross-cultural aspects of alcoholism among Puerto Ricans

Literature review

Alcohol problem prevention in Mexican-American populations

Predictors of driving while intoxicated among teenagers

J. Drug Issues

The Role of the Drinking Driver in Traffic Accidents

Statistical Abstract of the United States: 1988

A note on arrest statistics for alcohol-related offenses

Drinking and Drug Practices Surveyor

Drinking patterns and alcohol problems in a national sample of U.S. Hispanics

Patterns and problems of drinking among U.S. Hispanics

Drinking in different social contexts among white, black and Hispanic men

Presented at the Sixth Annual Meeting of the American College of Epidemiology, New Orleans, LA

Social correlates of drinking and driving

Q.J. Stud. Alcohol

Death certification practices in alcohol-related traffic fatalities

Presented at the 112th Annual Meeting of the American Public Health Association, Anaheim, CA

Alcohol-related practices, problems, and norms among Mexican Americans: An overview

Drinking driving: Research and intervention

J. Stud. Alcohol

The epidemiology of drinking patterns and alcohol-related problems among U.S. blacks

Accident vulnerability and blood alcohol concentrations of drivers by demographic characteristics

Q.J. Stud. Alcohol