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Social Influences on Adolescent Driving Under the Influence in a Sample of High School Students

NCJ Number
161028
Journal
Alcohol, Drugs and Driving Volume: 10 Issue: 3-4 Dated: (July-December 1994) Pages: 233-241
Author(s)
D P MacKinnon; M A Pentz; B I Broder; M G MacLean
Date Published
1994
Length
9 pages
Annotation
The factors associated with juvenile driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs were examined in a sample of 2,037 students in 10th and 12th grades in a large midwestern city.
Abstract
Results revealed that 13 percent of the youths reported that they had driven under the influence in the last month, and 31 percent reported having been with someone who was driving under the influence in the last month. Females were more likely than males to be with drinking drivers; males were somewhat more likely than females to driver under the influence. Demographic, personality, and social variables were related to drunk driving behavior and exposure to it by others. Results suggested that programs aimed at correcting beliefs about the positive consequences of alcohol use, changing norms regarding drinking and driving and alcohol use, and providing skills to refuse and intervene when exposed to drinking drivers may prevent driving under the influence. Approaches based on social influences can be incorporated into existing driver programs, including driver education classes and classes for drunk driving offenders. Tables and 44 references (Author abstract modified)