Mortality in a sample of convicted drinking drivers

Mortality rates for 639 drinking drivers were calculated. The sample consisted of all individuals convicted of a second offence in two Ontario cities (Oshawa and North Bay) between 1973 and late 1978. There were 53 deaths (51 males, 2 females) in the sample prior to the end of 1986. Among males, significant excess total mortality was observed (Standardized Mortality Ratio = 1.7); similar trends were observed among females. Age-related excess mortality and excess mortality by cause were strikingly similar to mortality patterns observed among alcoholics.