The geography of availability and driving after drinking

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Environmental Criminology

Background:

• Previous research suggested a direct relationship between alcohol availability and driving after drinking.
• Theoretical models posited that the impact of alcohol availability on drinking and driving behaviors extends beyond immediate vicinity of outlets.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the relationship between the physical availability of alcohol and rates of driving after drinking.
• To investigate the spatial extent of alcohol availability's influence on drinking and driving outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Spatial analysis of geographically based data from four communities.
• Inclusion of environmental, socioeconomic, and drinking characteristics as covariates.
• Examination of relationships between alcohol outlet density and self-reported driving after drinking, driving while intoxicated, and crash rates.

Main Results:

• Physical availability of alcohol was not significantly related to self-reported driving after drinking or driving while intoxicated.
• A significant positive relationship was found between physical alcohol availability and rates of single-vehicle night-time crashes.
• The impact of physical availability on crash rates extended to both local and adjacent geographic areas.

Conclusions:

• The physical availability of alcohol is a significant factor in specific types of alcohol-related crashes, particularly single-vehicle night-time incidents.
• The influence of alcohol availability on crash risk is not confined to the immediate vicinity of outlets, affecting broader areas.
• Findings highlight the importance of considering spatial factors in alcohol policy and traffic safety interventions.