National Survey of Drinking and Driving, Attitudes and Behavior: 1999. Volume 1, Findings
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Summary
This report presents the findings of the 1999 National Survey of Drinking and Driving, the fifth 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 (age 16 and older) to track trends and inform NHTSA initiatives. The research was motivated by the need to evaluate the effectiveness of current programs and identify areas requiring further attention in the pursuit of reducing alcohol-related fatalities and injuries. The methodology involved telephone interviews conducted by The Gallup Organization between October and December 1999. The study utilized a nationally representative sample of 5,733 persons, with a specific sampling design ensuring a minimum of 100 completed interviews per state to allow for rough state-by-state estimates regarding Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) limits. Data were weighted to adjust for non-response bias and demographic characteristics. The report compares 1999 findings with data from previous administrations (1991, 1993, 1995, and 1997), focusing on individuals aged 16–64 for trend consistency. Key findings indicate a slight relapse in drinking and driving behaviors after improvements seen between 1993 and 1995. In 1999, 21% of the driving-age public reported driving within two hours of consuming alcohol, an increase from 20% in 1995 and 21% in 1997, though still lower than the 23–24% recorded in 1991 and 1993. Despite this prevalence increase, the total number of estimated drinking-driving trips declined significantly from 1.3 billion in 1993 to approximately 957 million in 1999. Males were more than twice as likely as females to drive after drinking, and adults aged 21–45 exhibited the highest prevalence. While the average drinker-driver consumed 2.7 drinks prior to driving (estimated BAC of .03), underage drinkers (16–20) consumed an average of 6.3 drinks, resulting in an estimated BAC of .10. Additionally, 23% of drinker-drivers were identified as "problem drinkers," who accounted for 41% of all drinking-driving trips. Attitudinally, 80% of the public viewed drinking and driving as a major threat to personal safety, though this perception had declined from 84% in 1991. Support for a .08 BAC legal limit increased to 68% among those aware of BAC levels, up from 56% in 1997. Knowledge of state BAC limits improved, with 28% correctly identifying their limit compared to 20% in 1995. The public generally supported increased enforcement, with 64% favoring more frequent sobriety checkpoints. However, perceptions of the certainty of being stopped for violations declined, with 39% believing a stop was unlikely in 1999, compared to 32% in 1993. The study concludes that while overall drinking-driving trips have decreased, certain behaviors and attitudes have regressed, highlighting the need for continued enforcement and prevention strategies.
Key finding
21% of the driving-age public reported driving within two hours of consuming alcohol in the past year, with males being more than twice as likely as females to engage in this behavior.
Methodology
survey
Sample size: 5127
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- Empirical Findings: observational prevalence