Report Identifies Lifesaving Alcohol Laws

Report Identifies Lifesaving Alcohol Laws
April 9, 2009

Research Summary

Laws that prevent alcohol purchases and possession by youth are the most effective at preventing drunk-driving fatalities, according to a new report that also praises as effective license suspensions for underage alcohol offenses and zero-tolerance laws for drivers under 21 found with alcohol in their system.

HealthDay News reported April 6 that researcher James C. Fell of the Pacific Institute on Research and Evaluation estimated that zero-tolerance and purchase/possession laws save 732 lives each year, and that another 165 lives could be saved annually if all states adopted the most effective laws.

'Use-and-lose' laws cut alcohol-related traffic crashes by 5 percent, according to the study, which looked at national databases on drunk driving and six state laws aimed at reducing underage drinking and four other laws that addressed drunk driving in general.

"Thirty-six states plus D.C. have such a law," Fell said. "I would ask the 14 states that don't to strongly consider adapting that legislation because, if they do and publicize it, they'll see a significant decrease in drinking-and-driving accidents."

The study, which was funded by the Substance Abuse Policy Research Program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, found that three other laws -- the .08-percent blood-alcohol standard and license suspensions for drunk driving, as well as statutes allowing police to pull over drivers who fail to wear a seatbelt -- also were effective. However, researchers said keg-registration laws and graduated drivers' licenses had no measurable effect on alcohol-related traffic deaths.

"The effectiveness of laws on underage drinking found by Dr. Fell are consistent with research we've done in the past," said Rae Tyson, a spokesman for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. "This is an issue that has had lots of different solutions thrown at it -- some of them effective and some of them not."

Higher per-capita alcohol consumption also was related to higher rates of fatal alcohol crashes.

The research appears in the online edition of the journal Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research and will appear in the July 2009 issue.

(Does my state have lifesaving alcohol laws?)

COMMENTS ON THIS ARTICLE:

Posted by honest girl on 10 Apr 09 08:51 AM EDT

Louisiana allows 18 year olds in bars and clubs. Their 21 year old friends buy for them. When will Louisiana change. Raise taxes, save the youth.

Posted by John from Oceanside on 10 Apr 09 01:37 PM EDT

These only work if the judges use it. California passed these laws almost 10 years ago but the judges in San Diego County have never taken drivers licences unless the individual was driving. We told youth that it would happen and they would laugh at us and say the judges don't do that. We confronted the judges and they pretty much said screw you, we're not going to do it.

Posted by Rob H. on 15 Apr 09 04:36 PM EDT

What John said. The juvenile judges are reluctant...heck, they refuse...to suspend or delay a driver's license for a year. In our (adult) courts that deal with 18-20 year olds caught in possession of alcohol, they're offered a plea bargain, with a fine of 147 dollars. But if they go before a judge and are convicted, the judges rarely impose the 250 dollar state-mandated penalty, nor do they tack on any of the additional fees that would send a strong message. Instead, 18-20 year olds usually pay a fine of around 100 dollars for a Minor-in-possession conviction. Get caught fishing without a license? Pay $400. Get caught with alcohol? Pay $100. Thanks for nothing, judges.

Posted by Smokey on 24 Apr 09 05:25 AM EDT

This may be just a little too early for action but not too early for serious consideration. It is common knowledge that it is easier for underage drinkers to get marijuana than alcohol. Most efforts in blocking underage drinking have less than hoped for results. Virtually no one drives around smoking a joint. Only a fool would leave any in their vehicle. Most use is at home or with friends and driving under the influence of THC is virtually non-existant. There is a very inadequate amount of solid research that shows beyond any reasonable doubt that the social use of marijuana is addictive. Marijuana and hashish have been around since the earliest of recorded history and has never represented any significant antisocial problems or serious medical problems. In comparing the problems associated with alcohol use throughout history with the problems associated with the use of THC; alcohol is many, many times worse. Why then, do we not legalize, tax, and regulate marijuana and reduce our alcohol problems in the process. This would cut our cost in crime and punishment and bring in a huge tax revenue & create new jobs. There is more than ample evidence to support this positive move.

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