Bans and Ethnicity Tied to Drunk Driving Rates
Driving under the influence of alcohol can be so devastating an action that numerous programs have been put in place to try and reduce the risk of an inebriated person getting behind the wheel of a vehicle.
As this trend continues, so does an increased focus on reducing the number of places that allow for the freedom to smoke cigarettes. According to industry research, however, the banning of one activity appears to be increasing another.
A number of bars throughout the United States have implemented bans on smoking cigarettes. The intention was to reduce the amount of second hand smoke patrons were exposed to when in the bar. The initiative had a positive focus – to save lives. Unfortunately, it may also have a negative – and certainly unintended – consequence.
A study conducted by a research team at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee compared data from a variety of locations throughout the nation. Data was captured from smoke-free bars and compared with data captured from establishments without such a ban. Lead researchers in this effort then discovered a troubling relationship: there was a relative increase in the number of fatalities caused by driving under the influence that followed the enactment of no-smoking bans.
In trying to establish a reason for this behavior, literature on the habits of smokers suggest these individuals will drive longer distances to an establishment that will allow them to smoke. As a result, the number of smokers who were willing to drive extra distances to enjoy their surroundings offset any reduction in driving from smokers who decided to just stay home.
As drunk-driving laws are uniformly enforced throughout different states and even different counties, researchers find it more effective to use fatalities as a gauge in measuring for results in this study. Evidence gathered by these researchers suggest that consumers drive longer distances to smoke and drink, but does not exclude other explanations that could be the true cause of the increase.
While a person’s nicotine habit can contribute to their likelihood to drink and drive, what other factors can play a part? Does ethnicity contribute to a person’s risk of driving while under the influence? According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration it does and Hispanics pose the biggest threat. Findings by this organization suggest that while Hispanics make up 9 percent of the driving population, they account for 21 percent of those arrested for driving while under the influence of alcohol.
Are such findings the result of racial profiling or is there truly a bigger problem among the Hispanic population? Report findings suggest that these individuals are willing to take more risks, which would push their likelihood to get behind the wheel of a car no matter how much alcohol they had consumed. If these individuals also happen to be smokers, their risk for DUI may be driven even higher.
