Research Summary
Drivers ages 21 to 34 comprise a disproportionate share of fatal motor vehicle crashes in which at least one of the drivers was legally intoxicated (had a BAC of .08 or greater), according to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Although drivers ages 21 to 34 were involved in 31% of all fatal crashes in 2006, they were involved in 43% of all fatal crashes in which at least one driver was intoxicated.
On the other hand, drivers ages 45 or older were involved in 36% of all fatal crashes, but just 23% of drunk-driving fatal crashes.
These findings suggest that prevention efforts may be most effective if they focus on educating young adult drivers about the dangers of driving while intoxicated.
Source: , from The Center on Substance Abuse Research (CESAR) at the University of Maryland. October 1, 2007