| dc.description.abstract | This study is of a descriptive type that is concerned with the correlation of drinking and driving along with seat belt use when driving or riding in a motor vehicle. The study focuses on these two acts, one considered healthy and one considered unhealthy. The literature shows that injuries are the fourth leading cause of death in the United States and the leading cause of death in persons under age 45. Motor vehicle injuries account for about half of these deaths (National Center for Health Statistics, 1988). In 1986, nearly 48,000 Americans died in motor vehicle crashes (National Center for Health Statistics, 1988; Centers for Disease Control, 1988; Baker and O'Neil, et al, 1984). According to the Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center, only 46% of Americans use seat belts and in 1986, about 1.7 million persons were arrested for alcohol impaired driving (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 1989; Centers for Disease Control, 1988). About 40% of persons killed in motor vehicle crashes are intoxicated by alcohol (Centers for Disease Control, 1988�. In 1987, an estimated 23,630 persons were killed in alcohol-related motor vehicle crashes (Centers for Disease Control, 1988). The literature also shows that the use of occupant restraint systems has been shown to reduce the risk of motor vehicle injury by about 40-50% (Newman, 1986). It has been estimated on the basis of such evidence that the proper use of lap and shoulder belts can decrease the risk of moderate to serious injury to front seat occupants by 45-50% (Department of Transportation, 1984). Therefore, this study is concerned with the tendency of those that engage in alcohol impaired driving to fasten their seat belts and the tendency of those who regularly fasten their seat belts to engage in alcohol impaired driving. | |
