Citation

Sterling-Smith RS, Fell JC. Proc. Am. Assoc. Automot. Med. Annu. Conf. 1972; 16: 93-114.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1972, Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The NHTSA is sponsoring special accident investigation studies on the alcohol/drug involvement problem in the cities of Albuquerque, Baltimore, and Boston. These studies are in coordination with ongoing Alcohol Safety Action Projects (ASAP) in each of the three cities. The first year's effort at Boston is described. A total of 50 accidents involving a fatality during an 8-month period in the Boston ASAP area were investigated. A Human Factors Index (HFI) was determined via interviews, records, and questionnaires on each driver designated to be "at- fault" in the accident. A hypothetical "modal" operator is described based upon the entire sample. Results discussed include: 42% of the focal operators were under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash; 60% of the focal operators indicated chronic risk taking behaviors; 62% of the alcohol involved operators were considered to be "problem drinkers". Implications pointed to new areas of possible identification criteria for the Boston ASAP. A proposed two-year continuation of the study is described