Document Detail


The relationship between serious injury and blood alcohol concentration (BAC) in fatal motor vehicle accidents: BAC = 0.01% is associated with significantly more dangerous accidents than BAC = 0.00%
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  21689195     Owner:  NLM     Status:  Publisher    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Aim  To analyze the severity of automotive injuries associated with blood alcohol concentration (BAC) in increments of 0.01%. Design/setting  Epidemiological study using the Fatality Analysis Reporting System. Participants  All people in US fatal automotive accidents, 1994-2008 (n = 1 495 667). Measurements  The ratio of serious: non-serious injuries for drivers, by BAC. Findings  Accident severity increases significantly even when the driver is merely 'buzzed', a finding that persists after standardization for various confounding factors. Three mechanisms mediate between buzzed driving and high accident severity: compared to sober drivers, buzzed drivers are significantly more likely to speed, to be improperly seatbelted and to drive the striking vehicle. In addition, there is a strong 'dose-response' relationship for all three factors in relation to accident severity (e.g. the greater the BAC, the greater the average speed of the driver and the greater the severity of the accident). Conclusions  The severity of life-threatening motor vehicle accidents increases significantly at blood alcohol concentrations (BACs) far lower than the current US limit of 0.08%. Lowering the legal limit could save lives, prevent serious injuries and reduce financial and social costs associated with motor vehicle accidents.
Authors:
David P Phillips; Kimberly M Brewer
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Publication Detail:
Type:  JOURNAL ARTICLE     Date:  2011-6-20
Journal Detail:
Title:  Addiction (Abingdon, England)     Volume:  -     ISSN:  1360-0443     ISO Abbreviation:  -     Publication Date:  2011 Jun 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2011-6-21     Completed Date:  -     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  9304118     Medline TA:  Addiction     Country:  -    
Other Details:
Languages:  ENG     Pagination:  -     Citation Subset:  -    
Copyright Information:
© 2011 Society for the Study of Addiction. No claim to original US government works.
Affiliation:
Department of Sociology, University of California at San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA.
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