Traffic Safety Facts: Research Note

2407044672006PDFBriefDOT HS 810 598Automobile driversFatalitiesBlood alcohol levelsAlcohol useDrunk driversDrunk drivingBlood alcoholTraffic fatalitiesMotor vehicle driversStatisticsUnited StatesUnited States. Department of Transportation. National Highway Traffic Safety AdministrationPickrell, Timothy M.NTL-REFERENCES AND DIRECTORIES-StatisticsNTL-SAFETY AND SECURITY-Human FactorsNTL-SAFETY AND SECURITY-SAFETY AND SECURITYBTS Data DirectoryThe data in this research note demonstrate that while the overall proportion of passenger vehicle drivers with alcohol in fatal crashes is lower in older age groups, the median bloodalcohol concentration (BAC) is generally higher for those age groups. However, for motorcycle operators the age groups with the highest level of alcohol involvement also have the highest median BAC levels. This research note identifies differences between age groups and within vehicle types, based on the proportion of drivers with positive BACs (BAC 65.01) by showing differences between passenger vehicle (passenger cars, SUVs, pickup trucks, and vans) driver and motorcycle operator BAC levels across age groups. Passenger vehicle drivers in the age groups 20-29 and 30-39 had the highest proportion of drivers with positive BAC levels. However, motorcycle operators in the age groups 30-39 and 40-49 had the highest proportion of drivers with positive BAC levels.85