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A study of 14,000 binge drinkers found that 12 percent admitted driving after their most recent episode of heavy alcohol consumption. Researchers from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also found that about half of those who drove drunk did so within two hours of consuming seven or more drinks, and that about a quarter drove after downing 10 drinks or more. (Source: Join Together, 9/2/09)

This study aims at investigating the association between alcohol and meal consumption and the risk of RTCs (Road traffic crashs) using intrapersonal comparisons of subjects while driving. Conclusion: Each single unit of acute alcohol consumption increases the risk of RTCs, in contrast with the ‘legal’ threshold allowed in some countries. Meal consumption is not associated with RTCs, but its combined effects with sleepiness need further elucidation. (Source: BMC Public Health, 9/1/09)

Men are still more likely to drive drunk than women, but a disturbing new report finds that 28.8 percent more women were arrested for driving under the influence in 2007 than a decade earlier. (Source: Join Together, 8/21/09) with our comment

Visit this NHTSA website for information and materials your organization can use in support of their national enforcement crackdown campaign initiative. (Source: Join Together, 8/21/09) trafficsafetymarketing.gov/

Women in the U.S. are drinking and driving drunk more, experts point out in the wake of a drunk-driving crash in upstate New York where a mother and seven others died. The Associated Press reported Aug. 6 that while most drunk drivers are men, DUI arrests among women rose 28.8 percent between 1998 and 2007, while such arrests declined 7.5 percent among men. (Source: Join Together, 8/9/09)

A federal transportation bill now being debated in Congress would compel all states to require convicted drunk drivers to install alcohol-detecting ignition-interlock devices on their vehicles. (Source: Joint Together, 8/4/09)

More Than 1 In 10 Major Injuries In Ontario Involve High Blood Alcohol Levels. A study of hospitalizations for severe injury in Ontario’s designated trauma centres shows alcohol was involved in at least 12% of major trauma cases in 2007-2008. 2008 Major Injury in Ontario, released today by the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI), shows 526 patients hospitalized for severe injury were found to have blood alcohol concentration levels over the legal limit of 0.08% last year. (Source: Medical News Today, 8/3/09)

The Flying Fish Brewing Co. may have thought naming its beers after exits on the New Jersey Turnpike was a clever marketing move, but highway-safety groups are not amused by the association between drinking and driving. (Source: Join Together, 7/28/09)

Repeat alcohol offenders in Missouri will now need more than just a key to start their cars. Starting July 1, all repeat alcohol offenders will be required to pay for and install ignition interlock devices in their cars. The device requires the driver to blow an alcohol-free sample into the machine to start their car. The new law will mostly affect future offenders, but state officials said it will impact nearly 70,000 people under restricted and revoked licenses. (Source: Join Together, 15.7.09)

Breathalyzer tests can fail to produce accurate results, so accused drunk drivers have the right to challenge the results of such tests in court, the California Supreme Court has ruled. (Source: Join Together, 7/14/09)