Turning 21 and the Associated Changes in Drinking and Driving after Drinking among College Students

The objective of this paper was to examine drinking and driving after drinking before and after turning 21. The participants were drawn from first time college students who were taking part in a 4-year longitudinal study of alcohol use and behavioral risks. The authors used web-based longitudinal surveys to collect data on drinking and driving after drinking from August 2004 through November 2007 (n = 1,817). A subset of participants (n = 224) also monitored their daily behavior during the month they turned 21 (January through May, 2007). The survey results showed that typical frequency and quantity of alcohol use increased from ages 18 to 21 years, whereas quantity decreased between 21 and 23 years of age. Driving after drinking showed a 72% relative increase (6% absolute increase) in the 2 weeks after turning 21. The aper concludes that reaching the legal drinking age is associated with decreases in the amount of alcohol consumed per drinking occasion, but an increase in driving after drinking.

Availability:
- Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/07448481
Supplemental Notes:
- Abstract reprinted with permission from Taylor & Francis.
Authors:
- Fromme, Kim
- Wetherill, Reagan R
- Neal, Dan J
Publication Date: 2010

Language

English

Media Info

Media Type: Print
Features: Figures; References; Tables;
Pagination: pp 21-27
Serial:
- Journal of American College Health
- Volume: 1
- Publisher: American College Health Association
- ISSN: 0744-8481
- Serial URL: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals/titles/07448481.asp

Subject/Index Terms

TRT Terms: Automobile driving; College students; Drunk driving; Human factors in crashes; Intoxication; Legal drinking age; Traffic safety
Subject Areas: Highways; Safety and Human Factors; I83: Accidents and the Human Factor;

Filing Info

Accession Number: 01165441
Record Type: Publication
Files: TRIS
Created Date: Aug 19 2010 1:49PM