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Drinking, Drug Use, and Driving Among Rural Midwestern Youth

NCJ Number
155870
Journal
Journal of School Health Volume: 60 Issue: 5 Dated: (May 1990) Pages: 215-219
Author(s)
P D Sarvela; D J Pape; J Odulana; S M Bajracharya
Date Published
1990
Length
5 pages
Annotation
Data concerning self-reported driving after drinking or using other drugs were collected from 3,382 junior and senior high school students in rural central and southern Illinois.
Abstract
Analysis showed that drinking, drug use, and driving increased steadily with age; 42 percent of seniors indicated they had driven a car at least once in the past 6 months after drinking or using other drugs. Riding with a driver who had been drinking also increased with age; 20 percent of the 7th grade sample had ridden in a car with a drinking driver, while 58 percent of the 12th grade sample reported having done so. Slightly more females than males had ridden in a car with a driver who had been drinking, while males reported higher rates of driving after drinking or using other drugs than females. Correlation analysis indicated that 22 variables related significantly to drinking, drug use, and driving. Forward stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that 11 variables related significantly to riding as a passenger with a drinking driver. Thirteen variables were significantly related to driving after drinking or using other drugs. Frequency of alcohol use variables were the most powerful indicators of self-reported driving after drinking or using other drugs. 16 references and 4 tables