Drinking-Driving and Other Risk Behaviors Among Missouri High School Students, 1997-2005.

Underage drinking remains a critical public health issue nationwide; it also brings about tremendous burden on the Missouri taxpayers. Survey data from the Missouri Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) from 1997 to 2005 revealed that despite some encouraging changes in driving after drinking and other risk behaviors among Missouri high school students over recent years, underage drinking, problem drinking and drinking-driving remain significant issues for 9th to 12th graders. Specifically, the problem of drinking-driving was strongly associated with decreased seat belt use, increased alcohol use, and an earlier age of initiation for alcohol use.Includes bibliographical reference