Drinking and driving by young females.

Area of Science:

• Traffic Safety Research
• Epidemiology of Substance Abuse
• Sociology of Deviant Behavior

Background:

• Recent research highlights an increase in drinking and driving among women.
• The proportion of female drivers in fatal crashes is rising, particularly in specific age groups.
• Alcohol involvement rates in fatal crashes for females aged 21-24 have not declined, unlike overall rates.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the involvement of North Carolina female drivers (<35 years) in drinking and driving from 1976-1985.
• To identify trends in driver licensing, arrests, crashes, and blood alcohol levels for young female drivers.
• To highlight an emerging driving-while-impaired (DWI) problem among younger women.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of North Carolina driver data (1976-1985).
• Examination of trends in driver licensing and drinking and driving arrests.
• Review of single-vehicle nighttime and alcohol-related crash data, including blood alcohol levels in fatalities.

Main Results:

• An emerging driving-while-impaired (DWI) problem was identified for younger women, particularly those aged 21-24.
• Alcohol involvement rates in late-night single-vehicle crashes for females aged 21-24 approach those of males.
• Trends indicate increasing involvement of women in alcohol-related driving incidents.

Conclusions:

• Significant trends in female driver involvement necessitate targeted interventions.
• Educational, deterrence, enforcement, and rehabilitation programs need to address this emerging DWI problem.
• Findings have implications for public health and traffic safety policy concerning young female drivers.