PATTERNS OF ALCOHOL-USE AND THE RISK OF DRINKING AND DRIVING AMONG USHIGH-SCHOOL-STUDENTS

Approximately one third of deaths among persons aged 15 to 24 years ar e the result of motor vehicle-related crashes. Data from a national sa mple of us high school students were used to assess patterns of alcoho l use among adolescents in relation to the risk of drinking and drivin g. Prevalence and odds ratios were calculated for drinking and driving associated with patterns of alcohol use. Drinking and driving increas ed with increasing frequency of alcohol use and binge drinking and whe n alcohol was used in addition to other drugs. Efforts to reduce drink ing and driving among adolescents should address underage drinking tha t is frequent or heavy.