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The rate of alcohol-related fatal car crashes has risen among some populations of female drivers, a worrying trend that runs counter to the decline in such crashes among young men.
ScienceDaily reported Feb. 18 that an analysis of U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data found that the rate of fatal car crashes where drivers had alcohol in their system fell among all age groups of men studied up to age 20 (16 to 20) and remained the same among 21- to 24-year-olds. (Source: Join Together, 2/23/10)

In a new published study on alcohol harm in California, Marin Institute researchers found that Hispanics are more likely to die in alcohol-related homicides than non-Hispanics. Also, while Blacks and Whites experience similar numbers of traffic fatalities, the alcohol-related homicide rate for Blacks was five times higher than for Whites. This is disturbing because it’s similar to data from 20 years ago, indicating that not much progress has been made in reducing racial disparities from alcohol harm. (Source: Marin Institute, 1/22/10)

FACE’s Fresh Story blog highlights a new report from the New Mexico Department of Public Health that quantifies the human and ecomonic costs of alcohol abuse in the state. The report also prompted an insightful newspaper commentary observing that 85 percent of all alcohol deaths in the state are caused by something other than impaired driving. (Source: Join Together, 1/6/10) freshstory.org, 12/29/09

An attractive female beams her message across the opening page: “Wanna go home with me tonight?” No surprise here: Budweiser is using sex to sell its latest public relations campaign, the “Budweiser Designated Driver.” Anheuser-Busch InBev (the global giant owner of Budweiser) has taken the old adage “sex sells” to heart, featuring beautiful people who drink too much, and do so often, as they tell us over and over in the campaign’s ad. (Source: Marin Institute, 12/15/09)

Prior studies have not only demonstrated a clear connection between alcohol outlets and alcohol-related problems, they have also shown that certain types of outlets are associated with different types of problem outcomes. A new study shows that a particular group, underage youth and young adults, have specific problems – injury accidents, traffic crashes, and assaults that are related to specific types of alcohol outlets – off-premise outlets, bars and restaurants. (Quelle: Medical News Today, 12/21/09)

Quebec will be joining the rest of Canada by lowering its legal blood-alcohol level for motorists from 0.08 percent to 0.05 percent. The decision is in line with the Quebec Road Safety Task Force’s recent recommendations. The move also came on the heels of the death of seven people in car accidents over one weekend in Quebec. (Source: Join Together, 12/14/09)

Almost 1,300 fewer Americans died in alcohol-related crashes last year than in 2007, and fatality rates dropped by 20 percent or more in Vermont, Wisconsin, Maine, Nebraska, Minnesota, Connecticut, South Dakota, Arizona and the District of Columbia, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT).
However, the rate of alcohol-related fatalities rose in New Hampshire, Kansas, Wyoming, Rhode Island, Idaho, Oklahoma and Colorado, DOT reported (PDF). (Source: Join Together, 12/10/09)

A new iPhone application helps users keep track of their blood-alcohol content (BAC) and sends warning messages if data indicates the user is “buzzed” or legally intoxicated. The Denver Post reported Dec. 2 that the free R-U-Buzzed? application developed by the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) calculates BAC based on information about the user’s weight, sex, type and amount of alcohol consumed, and number of hours spent drinking. If the application determines that the user’s BAC is over the legal limit of .08 percent, an anti drunk-driving warning flashes: “Don’t even think about it.” (Source: Join Together, 12/10/09) See also our entry on 12/9/09 from the U.K.

The U.K. health ministry has released a software application for iPhone and Windows phones intended to empower users to keep better track of their drinking, the BBC reported Dec. 1. The free Drinks Tracker app generates graphs based on individual alcohol consumption and advises users when they should cut back on drinking. Available from the National Health Service’s Choices website, the software was released as part of the government’s Know Your Limits campaign to promote responsible alcohol use. (Source: Join Together, 12/7/09) Comment: Let’s hope, it works correctly.

The document consists of three parts: The report by the secretariat, including a draft resolution for consideration by the WHO Executive Board; Annex 1 – the draft strategy itself; and Annex 2 – a two page summary of the evidence for the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of interventions. In addition there is also a Bibliography on evidence on harmful use of alcohol published as a separate document on the WHO-web page: Follow the process for implementing the WHA 61.4 resolution and preparing a draft global strategy to reduce harmful use of alcohol Comment: One of the most important papers on alcohol politics.