Impaired Driving among Youth: Trends & Tools for Prevention. Technical Report.

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Impaired Driving among Youth: Trends & Tools for Prevention. Technical Report.
Language: English
Authors: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (DHHS/PHS), Rockville, MD. Center for Substance Abuse Prevention.
Availability: National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information, P.O. Box 2345, Rockville, MD 20847. Tel: 800-729-6686 (Toll Free); TDD: 800-487-4899 (Toll Free); Web site: http://www.health.org.
Peer Reviewed: N
Page Count: 41
Publication Date: 1999
Report Number: SMA-99-3364
Document Type: Numerical/Quantitative Data
Reports - Descriptive
Descriptors: Adolescents, Alcohol Abuse, Alcohol Education, Drinking, Driving While Intoxicated, Laws, Prevention, State Legislation, Young Adults, Zero Tolerance Policy
Geographic Terms: U.S.; Maryland
Abstract: In 1996, after years of decline, alcohol-related crashes involving youth between 15 and 20 years old increased by nearly 5%. The estimated medical, monetary, and lost quality-of-life costs associated with injuries in crashes of young drivers are staggering. Policymakers are being called upon to address the problem of underage drinking and associated preventable problems, such as impaired driving and injuries. Strategies to prevent drinking and driving have proven to be effective. Substance abuse prevention professionals need to learn which strategies work and incorporate them into their ongoing efforts to prevent substance abuse problems. Brief overviews of some of these proven strategies are included and details are given on an extensive deterrence model. The report consists of four chapters. The first is an overview of the impaired driving problem with a focus on the young driver. Chapter 2 reviews minimum-age 21 alcohol purchase laws and discusses what states and communities do to ensure their enforcement. Chapter 3 discusses zero tolerance statutes, which require zero or low blood levels for young drivers. The last chapter concerns graduated licensing, a system that slowly eases young drivers into traffic flow. (Contains 16 figures, 9 tables, and 99 references.) (JDM)
Journal Code: RIEJUN2001
Entry Date: 2001
Accession Number: ED448379
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:In 1996, after years of decline, alcohol-related crashes involving youth between 15 and 20 years old increased by nearly 5%. The estimated medical, monetary, and lost quality-of-life costs associated with injuries in crashes of young drivers are staggering. Policymakers are being called upon to address the problem of underage drinking and associated preventable problems, such as impaired driving and injuries. Strategies to prevent drinking and driving have proven to be effective. Substance abuse prevention professionals need to learn which strategies work and incorporate them into their ongoing efforts to prevent substance abuse problems. Brief overviews of some of these proven strategies are included and details are given on an extensive deterrence model. The report consists of four chapters. The first is an overview of the impaired driving problem with a focus on the young driver. Chapter 2 reviews minimum-age 21 alcohol purchase laws and discusses what states and communities do to ensure their enforcement. Chapter 3 discusses zero tolerance statutes, which require zero or low blood levels for young drivers. The last chapter concerns graduated licensing, a system that slowly eases young drivers into traffic flow. (Contains 16 figures, 9 tables, and 99 references.) (JDM)