Riding in a motor vehicle with a driver under the influence of alcohol and drinking patterns: findings from a national survey of New Zealand youth

Abstract

Objective. To investigate the relationships between the risks of riding in a motor vehicle with a driver under the influence of alcohol and young people's drinking patterns and usual drinking locations. Methods. A secondary analysis was undertaken of Youth2000 data - the first nationally representative youth health survey conducted in 2001. The study base comprised all secondary schools with more than 50 students enrolled in years 9 to 13 (ages 12 to 18 years). An anonymous multi-media computer-assisted interview survey collected information on drinking patterns, locations, and if the respondent had ridden in a motor vehicle with a driver who was under the influence of alcohol during the previous 30 days. Results. Of the 9,567 respondents, 27.8% reported riding with a driver who had been drinking alcohol and 27.4% reported riding with a driver who had consumed more than two glasses of alcohol in the two hours before travel (36.4% responded 'yes' to one or other item). After adjusting for age and gender, binge drinking, drinking in cars, at parties and outdoors, and drinking in the company of friends were associated with a significantly increased risk of riding in a motor vehicle driven by a driver under the influence of alcohol. This risk was not apparent among adolescents who usually consumed alcohol at home and those who usually drank with family. Conclusions. The findings indicate the need to consider how and where adolescents drink to inform effective public policies that can reduce alcohol-related harm and road traffic injury.