Drinking and driving in the United States: the 1996 National Roadside Survey

Following the same general principles of its two predecessors in 1973 and 1986, the 1996 National Roadside Survey of weekend, nighttime drivers in the 48 contiguous states interviewed and breath tested over 6000 noncommercial four-wheel vehicle operators between September 6 and November 9, 1996. Results indicated that the total number of drinking drivers fell by about one-third between 1986 and 1996; however, there was no significant change in the number of drivers at blood alcohol concentrations (BACs) at or above 0.05. Compared to 1973, the proportion of women drivers on the roads during weekend nights has increased significantly. Moreover, relative to males, the proportion of female drivers who have been drinking has increased over the last decade. The number of drivers under the age of 21 with a BAC at or above 0.10 decreased significantly from 1986 to 1996.