Alcohol involvement in fatal traffic crashes in the United States: 1979-90

Trends in alcohol-related traffic crash fatalities for the United States were examined with data from the Fatal Accident Reporting System for the years 1979-90. Alcohol-related traffic crash fatalities have decreased 10% over the 12 years studied, from 20,245 in 1979 to 18,279 in 1990. Fatality rates per 100 million vehicles miles traveled, and per 100,000 population, registered vehicles and licensed drivers have decreased even more sharply. Rates of blood alcohol testing of fatally injured drivers rose substantially among the States, with the nationwide rate increasing from 44% in 1979 to 75% in 1990. Factors that may be affecting these trends are discussed.