Alcohol/drug abuse, driving convictions, and risk-taking dispositions among trauma center patients

Accid Anal Prev. 2001 Nov;33(6):771-82. doi: 10.1016/s0001-4575(00)00091-9.

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between alcohol/drug abuse diagnoses, driving convictions (speeding, reckless driving, impaired driving, license violations), and risk-taking dispositions among a series of injured drivers admitted to a trauma center. The driving records of 778 patients were linked to diagnoses of psychoactive substance use disorders (PSUDs), admission blood alcohol concentration (BAC), mode of injury, and results of a risk-taking disposition survey. Twenty-nine percent of patients had one or more convictions in the 3 years before injury. Types of violation were not related to mode of injury. Although there was a positive association between prior impaired-driving convictions, current alcohol dependence, and a BAC + status, a consistent pattern relative to other violations, PSUDs, and BAC status was not apparent. Risk-taking disposition scale scores indicated that patients without PSUDs and without convictions tended toward less risk-taking behavior than patients with PSUDs and with convictions. The complex inter-relationships between PSUDs, risk-taking dispositions, and being convicted of driving dangerously require additional study so that intervention programs and injury prevention initiatives can be targeted effectively.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Accidents, Traffic / legislation & jurisprudence
  • Accidents, Traffic / statistics & numerical data*
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Alcoholic Intoxication / epidemiology*
  • Baltimore / epidemiology
  • Causality
  • Cohort Studies
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Ethanol / blood
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Psychotropic Drugs* / adverse effects
  • Risk-Taking*
  • Safety
  • Substance-Related Disorders / epidemiology*
  • Trauma Centers / statistics & numerical data
  • Urban Population / statistics & numerical data*
  • Wounds and Injuries / epidemiology*

Substances

  • Psychotropic Drugs
  • Ethanol