Citation

Barillo DJ, Earnest T, Rhodes M, Fina R. Proc. Assoc. Adv. Automot. Med. Annu. Conf. 1990; 34: 83-95.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1990, Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The legal hazards of driving under the influence (DUI) are often not appreciated by alcohol users, while the legal outcome of DUI is often not realized by the medical community. We examined the legal course of 511 intoxicated drivers following trauma center discharge to determine if DUI arrests and convictions were made. The proportion arrested for DUI ranged from 6% - 54% (mean 41%), and was lower in more distant or rural counties. Most intoxicated drivers in this series were not arrested. Of those arrested, the proportion of DUI convictions was >95%. Conviction for DUI is dependant on the initial identification and arrest of intoxicated drivers following crashes.