Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 15, 2026

Driving Under the Influence: How Music Listening Affects Driving Behaviors
Published on: March 27, 2019
Differentiating "bad drivers" with and without a DWI
J J Buntain-Ricklefs1, F P Rivara, D M Donovan
1Harborview Injury Prevention and Research Center, Seattle, Washington 98104, USA.
Objective:
Risk factors for driving while intoxicated (DWI) are still largely unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the risk factors, other than multiple vehicle-related violations, that identify a group of bad drivers at risk of subsequent DWI violations.
Method:
A retrospective cohort study was conducted of drivers with multiple vehicle-related violations who completed a questionnaire on driving and personal characteristics (N = 253).
Results:
Thirty-six variables were found associated with a 1.8- to 6.3-fold increased risk of subsequent DWI in the following categories: driving behavior, drinking behavior, history of physical trauma, alcohol-related expectancies and family history.
Conclusions:
A screening system could be incorporated in DWI prevention programs to target high-risk groups.

