HIT THE BOTTLE AND RUN - THE ROLE OF ALCOHOL IN HIT-AND-RUN PEDESTRIAN FATALITIES

Alcohol is associated both with motor vehicle crashes and with crime. We examine the role of alcohol in hit-and-run collisions, based on ped estrian fatalities recorded in the Fatal Accident Reporting System. In 19% of all pedestrian fatalities in 1989 and 1990, the driver left th e scene. Time of the accident is available for all pedestrian fataliti es. Strong evidence for the influence of alcohol on hit-and-runs is th e greater proportion of hit-and-runs at night and during the weekend, two periods when drivers are more likely to be drinking. Half of hit-a nd-run motorists are eventually identified. Compared to those who rema in at the scene, the identified hit-and-run motorists are far more lik ely to have had a previous arrest for driving while intoxicated. They are also disproportionately young and male, two factors associated wit h drinking and driving. Only a fraction of drivers are tested for bloo d alcohol concentration (BAC); those who left the scene are more likel y to have a positive BAC. Two theories-the rational decision theory an d the personality theory-help explain why drunk drivers are more prone to run after hitting a pedestrian.