National Survey of Drinking and Driving Attitudes and Behavior: 1997
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Summary
This report presents the findings of the 1997 National Survey of Drinking and Driving Attitudes and Behavior, the fourth in a biennial series conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) since 1991. The study aims to measure self-reported attitudes, knowledge, and behaviors regarding drinking and driving among the general driving-age public to evaluate the effectiveness of current initiatives and identify areas requiring further attention. The research was motivated by the persistent toll of alcohol-related crashes, which resulted in over 17,000 fatalities in 1996, and the need to track progress toward reducing alcohol-impaired driving. The study utilized a nationally representative telephone survey conducted by The Gallup Organization between October and December 1997. The sample consisted of 4,010 individuals aged 16 and older, selected through a two-stage random sampling procedure and weighted to adjust for demographic characteristics and non-response bias. Data were collected via computer-assisted telephone interviewing in English and Spanish. The survey measured various topics, including the frequency of drinking and driving, riding with impaired drivers, designated driver usage, perceptions of enforcement, and knowledge of Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) levels. Trends were analyzed by comparing 1997 data with previous administrations from 1991, 1993, and 1995, using statistical tests to identify significant changes. Key findings indicate that 24% of the driving-age public reported driving within two hours of consuming alcohol in the past year, a figure that remained stable since 1995 after declining from 28% in 1991 and 1993. Males were nearly three times more likely than females to engage in this behavior, and adults aged 21–29 were the most prevalent group. On average, drinker-drivers consumed 2.5 drinks prior to driving, with an estimated average BAC of .03, though approximately 5% had a BAC of .08 or higher. Attitudinally, 99% of respondents viewed drinking and driving as a threat to personal safety, and 85% felt it was very important to reduce the problem. Support for sobriety checkpoints increased to 68% in 1997, and perceptions of the effectiveness of current laws improved to 64%. While awareness of BAC levels rose to 84%, only 29% of respondents correctly identified their state’s legal BAC limit, up from 20% in 1995. However, 56% of those aware of BAC levels supported a legal limit of .08 or lower. The significance of these findings lies in the stabilization of drinking and driving behaviors following earlier declines, suggesting that while public attitudes have improved and support for stricter enforcement has grown, behavioral change has plateaued. The data highlight a gap between general awareness and specific knowledge of legal limits, indicating a need for targeted education. The report underscores the continued relevance of enforcement strategies, such as sobriety checkpoints, and the importance of intervention efforts, as 83% of respondents reported successfully stopping friends from driving impaired. These results provide NHTSA with critical evidence to refine programs aimed at reducing alcohol-related fatalities and injuries.
Key finding
24% of the driving-age public reported driving within two hours of consuming alcohol in the past year, with males being almost three times as likely as females to engage in this behavior.
Methodology
survey
Sample size: 4010
Provenance
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Summary generated by qwen3.6-27b-prismaquant on 2026-06-10; verification: verified.
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- Empirical Findings: observational prevalence