New research from the Prevention Research Center of the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation shows that, after 2008, the rate of alcohol-involved motor vehicle crashes (AMVCs) among whites declined. In comparison, after 2010, the rate of AMVCs among Hispanics increased.
Using crash data from the California Highway patrol, the study findings also show that:
- Higher AMVC rates were associated with:
- Higher % of bars and pubs
- % Hispanic population
- % Male
- % 18-29 years of age and 40-49 years
- % U.S. born population
- % Below 150% of poverty level
- % Unemployed
- % Housing not owner occupied
- Crash distance from the border
In sum, both contextual and individual characteristics contribute to the level of alcohol-involved motor vehicle crashes in communities.
Lead author, Dr. Raul Caetano says that: “Possible public health countermeasures suggested by these findings include reducing the number of alcohol outlets in the community, reducing the number of hours of sale, and increasing the price of alcoholic beverages.”
Source: Caetano, Raul, Patrice AC Vaeth, Paul J. Gruenewald, William R. Ponicki, Zoe B. Kaplan, and Rachelle Annechino. “Trends and correlates of spatially aggregated alcohol‐involved crashes among Whites and Hispanics in California.” Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research.
