The relationship between alcohol and the increased probability of traumatic injury is discussed in terms of impairment of judgment and psychomotor performance. This study analyzed 5 years (1979-1983) of automobile crash data from North Carolina, which contained information on more than 1 million drivers. In examining the association between alcohol and driver injury, other factors were taken into account such as crash type and degree of vehicle deformation. Results indicate that when the effects of injury-related variables such as safety belt use, vehicle deformation, vehicle speed, driver age, and vehicle weight are considered, the drinking driver is more likely to suffer serious injury or death compared with the nondrinking driver. Findings do not support the widespread belief that alcohol is protective against injury, but indicate that alcohol increases vulnerability to injury in any given crash. Tabular data and 33 references.