FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH POLICE EVALUATION OF DRINKING IN FATAL HIGHWAY CRASHES

Police estimates of drinking by fatally injured drivers and pedestrians as recorded on police reports of investigations of crashes were compared with actual blood alcohol concentrations of the fatalities determined by the coroner's office. Over 20% of the time alcohol was not mentioned at all in the police report. When alcohol was mentioned its presence usually was underestimated, especially at concentrations under 200 mg%. Furthermore, alcohol was least likely to be reported among persons age 60 or older, pedestrians, nonresponsible fatalities, and drivers of new cars. It was most often reported among younger persons, drivers responsible for 2-vehicle crashes, and drivers of old cars.