Racial and Ethnic Group Comparisons: National Surveys of Drinking and Driving Attitudes and Behavior – 1993, 1995 and 1997: Volume 1: Findings

Royal, Dawn · 2000 · ROSA P / United States. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Office of Research and Traffic Records

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Summary

This report analyzes racial and ethnic differences in drinking and driving attitudes and behaviors among the U.S. driving-age population (ages 16–64). Sponsored by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and conducted by The Gallup Organization, the study aims to identify specific needs of different racial groups to inform targeted programs for reducing alcohol-impaired driving. The analysis pools data from three national telephone surveys administered in 1993, 1995, and 1997, comprising 10,453 respondents. The sample includes 7,955 non-Hispanic Whites, 1,026 non-Hispanic Blacks, 743 Hispanics, 274 Asians, and 197 American Indians/Eskimos. The study utilized a two-stage sampling procedure to select residential telephone numbers and respondents, with data weighted to match U.S. Census demographics. Respondents were categorized into five mutually exclusive racial/ethnic groups. The report examines self-reported behaviors, including the frequency of driving within two hours of drinking, riding with impaired drivers, and crash involvement. It also assesses attitudes toward enforcement, legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limits, and prevention strategies. "Problem drinkers" were identified using CAGE questionnaire criteria or high-frequency consumption metrics. Key findings reveal that non-Hispanic Whites have the highest prevalence of driving within two hours of drinking (28%), while Asians have the lowest (13%). However, non-Hispanic Whites account for a disproportionate 84% of all estimated past-month drinking-driving trips. Conversely, American Indians/Eskimos and Hispanics are nearly twice as likely as other groups to ride with potentially impaired drivers and are more likely to meet the criteria for being "problem drinkers." Problem drinkers were estimated to drive with a BAC of .05, double that of other drinker-drivers. Regarding enforcement, American Indians/Eskimos are twice as likely to be stopped for suspicion of impaired driving, while Hispanics report the highest arrest rates. Despite these experiences, both groups are less likely to believe punishment is certain following a charge. Non-Hispanic Whites are the least likely to view drinking and driving as a major threat or to support stricter penalties and sobriety checkpoints. Support for a .08 BAC legal limit is weakest among Whites (50%) and strongest among Blacks and other minority groups (60%). Additionally, non-Hispanic Blacks and Hispanics are more likely to report involvement in alcohol-related crashes than other groups. The study concludes that while non-Hispanic Whites engage in drinking and driving most frequently, minority groups, particularly American Indians/Eskimos and Hispanics, face higher risks through riding with impaired drivers and experiencing enforcement actions. The data suggests that targeted interventions are necessary, as minority groups exhibit higher rates of problem drinking and crash involvement, yet hold different perceptions regarding the severity of the problem and the efficacy of current laws compared to the White majority.

Key finding

Non-Hispanic Whites accounted for 84% of all estimated past-month drinking-driving trips despite comprising 77% of the population, while American Indians/Eskimos and Hispanics were nearly twice as likely as other groups to ride with a potentially impaired driver.

Methodology

survey

Sample size: 10453

Provenance

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Topics

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• demographic disparities
• cultural cross national
• alcohol
• sex gender

Information type

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• Empirical Findings: observational prevalence