Age-related differences in risks of drinking and driving in gender and ethnic groups

We examine the extent to which empirically observed age-related differences in rates of drinking and driving can be explained by concurrent difference s in drinking patterns. Building on previous research showing significant a ge differences in drinking patterns between men and women and among three e thnic groups, Whites, Blacks, and Hispanics, our study considers whether th ere are unique gender and ethnic group differences in patterns of drinking and driving. Data were from 4395 respondents 12 to 80 years old in a genera l population survey of 20 urban areas in the United States. During the mont h preceding the interview, 1130 (25.7%) of all respondents had driven after having one or more drinks. Drinking pattern measures included drinking fre quency, average drinking quantity, and the variance in the number of drinks consumed per occasion. To assess the relationships of drinking patterns to drinking and driving across age groups, two sets of analyses were conducte d, one set in which age differences in drinking patterns were statistically controlled and one set in which they were not. Although the statistical co ntrol for drinking patterns reduced age differences between gender and ethn ic groups, it did not eliminate them. The reduction demonstrated that part of observed group differences in driving after drinking over age among gend er and ethnic groups is due to age-related differences in drinking patterns . However, despite controlling drinking patterns young respondents remained more likely to drink and drive. A supplementary analysis of self-reported incidents of driving while intoxicated (i.e., driving after having five or more drinks) further indicated that, controlling for drinking patterns, you ng respondents are most at risk.