Association Between Riding With an Impaired Driver and Driving While Impaired

Abstract

WHAT'S KNOWN ON THIS SUBJECT: Motor vehicle crashes, heavy drinking, and drug use are serious, interactive health concerns for the teenage population. Teenage alcohol-impaired driving behaviors are associated with heavy drinking, parenting practices, and exposure to drinking and driving.WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS: Earliness of exposure to alcohol/drug impaired driving (DWI) and early licensure were independent risk factors for teenage DWI. A strong, positive dose-response existed between DWI and amount of prior exposure to DWI in the form of riding with an impaired driver. abstract OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between driving while alcohol/ drug impaired (DWI) and the timing and amount of exposure to others' alcohol/drug-impaired driving (riding while impaired [RWI]) and driving licensure timing among teenage drivers. METHODS:The data were from waves 1, 2, and 3 (W1, W2, and W3, respectively) of the NEXT Generation Study, with longitudinal assessment of a nationally representative sample of 10th graders starting in 2009-2010. Multivariate logistic regression was used for the analyses.RESULTS: Teenagers exposed to RWI at W1 (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 21.12, P , .001), W2 (AOR = 19.97, P , .001), and W3 (AOR = 30.52, P , .001) were substantially more likely to DWI compared with those reporting never RWI. Those who reported RWI at 1 wave (AOR = 10.89, P , .001), 2 waves (AOR = 34.34, P , .001), and all 3 waves (AOR = 127.43, P , .001) were more likely to DWI compared with those who never RWI. Teenagers who reported driving licensure at W1 were more likely to DWI compared with those who were licensed at W3 (AOR = 1.83, P , .05). CONCLUSIONS:The experience of riding in a vehicle with an impaired driver increased the likelihood of future DWI among teenagers after licensure. There was a strong, positive dose-response association between RWI and DWI. Early licensure was an independent risk factor for DWI. The findings suggest that RWI and early licensure could be important prevention targets. Pediatrics 2014;133:620-626

Transitions in Riding With an Alcohol/Drug-Impaired Driver From Adolescence to Emerging Adulthood in the United States

“…However, the extent of examination of risk and protective factors in teenagers who ride with impaired drivers remains limited despite its considerable contribution to teen and young adult morbidity and mortality (NHTSA, 2014a). Other research, as well as our own, shows that teens exposed to RWI are signifi cantly more likely to drive while intoxicated after licensure (Leadbeater et al, 2008;Li et al, 2014c). In our study, 52% of the teenagers reported RWI in at least one wave.…”

“…Moreover, recent studies show that driving while alcohol/drug-impaired (DWI) is more likely among adolescents previously exposed to RWI (Evans-Whipp et al, 2013;Li et al, 2014c). Therefore, identifying factors that contribute to RWI is a necessary prerequisite for the identifi cation of unique intervention opportunities and their timing.…”

The Predictive Influence of Youth Assets on Drinking and Driving Behaviors in Adolescence and Young Adulthood

“…Specifically, we examine the predictive influence of individual (aspirations, responsible choices), relationship (family communication, parental monitoring, positive peer role models), and community (school connectedness) assets on DD and RDD. We analyze both outcomes, as both compromise health and safety, and teens who ride with an impaired driver are significantly more likely to drive while impaired themselves at later time points (Li, Simons-Morton, Vaca, & Hingson, 2014). We hypothesize that individual assets and supportive relationships and community connections decrease the likelihood of DD and RDD over time.…”

Putting Adolescents at Risk: Riding With Drinking Drivers Who Are Adults in the Home

“…Although several prior studies examined adolescents' RWDD (Kann et al, 2014;Li et al, 2014;Poulin et al, 2007;Vaca et al, 2016), we found only one other study that specified riding with an adult drinking driver. In 2006, an anonymous survey of 2,594 Canadian 10th-12th graders found a lifetime prevalence of more than 50% reporting ever riding in a car with a drinking driver who was older than age 25 (Leadbeater et al, 2008).…”