The overriding goal in attempts to reduce alcohol-impaired driving is to reduce the resulting alcohol-related motor vehicle crashes, especially those that result in fatalities. This section examines experiences in motor vehicle crashes as both a passenger and a driver, specifically it covers the following topics:

One in ten (10%) drivers were involved in a motor vehicle crash in the past year while driving a motor vehicle. Motor vehicle crashes were less likely to be reported by American Indian/Eskimo drivers age 16-64. [Figure 23-A]

Non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic drinker-drivers were almost twice as likely than others to report involvement in a past-year motor vehicle crash, with 18% of persons in these racial groups reporting a crash. [Figure 23-B]

The driver had consumed alcohol within two hours prior to driving in about 4% of the reported past-year motor vehicle crashes. Non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic drivers who report involvement in a crash as a driver are almost twice as likely to report that they had consumed alcohol within two hours prior to driving (about 8%). [Figure 23-C]

About 4% of the driving age public has been involved in a motor vehicle crash as a passenger in the past year. Asians and Hispanics are the most likely to have been a passenger in a vehicle crash in the past year. [Figure 23-D]

The driver had consumed alcohol within two hours prior to driving in about 10% of the motor vehicle crashes where a person of driving age was involved as a passenger. Non-Hispanic White and non-Hispanic Black passengers of motor vehicle crashes are more likely than other involved passengers to say that alcohol was involved. [Figure 23-E]

*Drinking drivers: drove within two hours after drinking alcohol

**Sample base for figures on this page: