1. IMPROVING BLOOD ALCOHOL CONCENTRATION (BAC) TESTING AND REPORTING IN TEXAS Becky T. Davies Center for Transportation Safety Texas Transportation Institute

2. Texas Traffic Fatalities in 2000 (Traffic Safety Facts, NHTSA) Texas Traffic Fatalities in 2000 (Traffic Safety Facts, NHTSA) 3,769

3. Two Sources of Information on Alcohol-Related Crashes Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Accident Database Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Accident Database (Most current data = 2000) Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) Database Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) Database (Most current data = 2002)

4. DWI-Related Fatalities in Texas (DPS Estimate vs. FARS Estimate 2000) 0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800 2000 2200 DPS Data FARS Data Police Reported Alcohol as a Contributing Factor Estimate Based on Crash and Driver Factors (e.g., time of day, driver age) 1,047 fatalities 1,884 fatalities (28%) (50%)

5. The rate of reporting BACs for fatally injured drivers has dropped from 62% in 1991 to 33% in 2001. The rate of reporting BACs for drivers who survived a fatal crash has dropped from 29% in 1991 to 15% in 2001.

6. Reliable Information Regarding Driver BACs is Important for: - formulating public policy - initiating legislative reform - allocating funds for DWI enforcement - evaluating the effectiveness of DWI countermeasures

7. Drivers Killed in Fatal Crashes BAC Reported by County (FARS 2001) County No. Drivers BAC Reported Bexar630 Dallas15052 El Paso 416 Harris256146 Tarrant 78 7812 Travis 54 8

8. Surviving Drivers Involved in Fatal Crashes BAC Reported by County (FARS 2001) County No. Drivers BAC Reported Bexar1104 Dallas2398 El Paso 636 Harris39268 Tarrant 105 10510 Travis 100 7

10. Texas Insurance Code Chapter 3 - Life, Health and Accident Insurance. Art. 3.70 – 3. Accident and Sickness Policy Provisions. (B) Other Provisions. Intoxicants and Narcotics: The insurer shall not be liable for any loss sustained or contracted in consequence of the insured’s being intoxicated or under the influence of any narcotic unless administered on the advice of a physician.

11. Injured Drunk Drivers are Frequently Protected from Prosecution Injured drivers admitted to Brackenridge Hospital over 2-year period Injured drivers admitted to Brackenridge Hospital over 2-year period 251 injured drivers had a BAC >.10 251 injured drivers had a BAC >.10 Only 16% (42 of the 251 injured intoxicated drivers) were charged with DWI Only 16% (42 of the 251 injured intoxicated drivers) were charged with DWI The cost of medical care for the 251 injured intoxicated drivers was $6.3 million (χ=$18,533 each) The cost of medical care for the 251 injured intoxicated drivers was $6.3 million (χ=$18,533 each) Criddle, L.M., & Carson, B. (1998). The injured drunk driver in central Texas: Incidence, demographics, and legal ramifications. Journal of Emergency Nursing, 24, 309-315.

12. Do you think that drunk driving in Texas: is a bigger problem than in other states?31% is about the same as it is in other states?64% is less of a problem than it is in other states? 3% is not much of a problem? 1% Source: DMV Driver Survey (Summer 2003)

13. Texas vs. California FHWA Estimates for 2000 +58% +39%

14. Texas vs. California (FARS Estimates 2000) (N = 1,061) (N = 1,450) + 37%

15. Texas vs. California (FARS and FHWA Estimates 2000) +68% +54%