Drivers in alcohol related crashes in Saskatchewan

Media reports of fatal crashes involving alcohol often leave the public with the impression that most impaired drivers lwalk awayr following a crash that has killed one or more innocent victims. While such stories are tragic, they are not necessarily representative of all alcohol-related fatal crashes. Impaired drivers are most likely to be the victim. These two very different crash scenarios may differ in terms of the characteristics of the impaired drivers involved and the circumstances of the crash itself. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that impaired drivers who survive fatal crashes do not differ from impaired drivers who die in fatal crashes in terms of circumstances of the crash or the characteristics of the drivers. Drivers involved in fatal crashes in the province of Saskatchewan from 1996 through 2009 were divided into groups according to alcohol status (no alcohol, had been drinking, BAC over 80 mg/dL) and crash survival. In the case of high BAC drivers, the driver was the most likely to die followed by a vehicle occupant. Driver records were also assessed by high and low BACs. In the case of surviving drivers their prospective record was also assessed. The findings serve to highlight the risks impaired drivers pose to themselves as well as other road users. The observed differences in impaired drivers who die in crashes and those who survive a fatal crash are of value in the development of public awareness and prevention programs as well as enforcement efforts.