In addition to measuring drinking and driving behaviors, this study examines the driving age public’s perceptions on a number of topics related to drinking and driving. Changes in these perceptions can eventually lead to personal changes in drinking and driving behaviors (both improvements and declines) and in actions towards others. This section provides feedback on perceptions of the following issues:

The driving age public age 16 to 64 sees drinking and driving as a serious problem that needs to be dealt with. Eight of ten (80%) persons see drinking and driving of others as a major threat to the personal safety of themselves and their family, and 86% say that it is "very important" that something be done to reduce drinking and driving. [Figures 8-A and 8-B]

Non-Hispanic Whites are less likely to see drinking and driving as a major threat (78%) as compared to those of other racial groups (88%), and along with American Indians are less likely to think it is important to do something to reduce it (85% as compared to 91%).

The majority of the driving age public is supportive of "zero tolerance" for drinking and driving for all drivers. About 55% strongly agree that people should not be allowed to drive if they have consumed any alcohol at all, and an additional 21% somewhat agree with this statement. Again, non-Hispanic Whites are less likely than others to strongly agree with this "zero tolerance" perspective (51% as compared to 65% of others). [Figure 8-C]

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Respondents were asked to rate their agreement on a series of five questions regarding drinking and driving. These items include:

More than one-half (57%) of the driving age public age 16 to 64 agree that most people who drive after drinking too much alcohol are alcoholics or problem drinkers. Non-Hispanic Whites are much less likely than those of other racial groups to hold this perspective. Just 53% agree strongly or somewhat as compared to 67% agreement of other racial groups. [Figure 9-A]. In contrast, however, about 14% of drinking-drivers can be technically classified as "problem-drinkers". [Figure 6-A]

The overwhelming majority (72%) also see that drinking-driving occurrences by those who are not "problem drinkers" or alcoholics is a serious highway safety problem. Asians are less likely to agree with this (63%) than are other groups. [Figure 9-B]

Regarding personal responsibility for others, nearly all (94%) agree that they should prevent someone they know from driving when they feel that person has had too much to drink. Asians and American Indians are less likely to take the interventional attitude (87%). [Figure 9-C]

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Drivers who drink were asked to estimate the number of alcoholic beverages they could drink in two hours to reach the point where they should not drive. About two-thirds of drivers who consume alcohol feel that they should not drive if they have had two or fewer drinks within a two-hour period. More than one-third of those in all racial groups place their personal limit (after which they should not drive) at one or fewer drinks. A similar proportion (35%) say they should not drive after consuming three or more drinks in two hours. Non-Hispanic Whites are least likely to put their personal limit under two drinks (35% as compared to 40% of others). [Figure 11-A]. The average 170-pound male would be at about a .03 BAC after consuming 2 drinks within two hours.

On average, persons of driving age feel they could consume 2.6 alcoholic drinks in two hours before they should not drive. Male drivers who drink alcohol perceive their personal limit to be much higher than do their female counterparts, with males saying they could consume three drinks in two hours before they should not drive, while females say they could drink an average of just two drinks before they hit their driving limit. American Indians/Eskimos perceive the highest personal limit, citing that they could drink about 3.7 drinks. Asians and Hispanics also perceive higher tolerances than do White or Black drivers who drink. [Figure 10-B]

When these perceived self-limits are viewed in terms of the estimated resulting BAC level if the respondent drank the reported number of drinks, these drinker drivers on average would near a BAC level of .05. [Figure 10-C] Asian and American Indian/Eskimo persons perceive their personal limit of alcohol before they should not drive at a level that would put them at a BAC level of .07 or higher, on average. [Figure 10-C]

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