Drinking and driving among rural youth

Abstract
Data concerning rural youth drinking and driving practices were collected from 622 junior and senior high school students in northwest Ohio, utilizing an ex post facto cross-sectional survey-research design. The results suggested that 69% of the sample had used alcohol at least once. With regard to quantity of alcohol use, about 27% reported drinking four or more drinks at a sitting. Approximately 19% of the sample had driven under the influence of alcohol and 35% had ridden in a car with an intoxicated school-age driver; 35% had refused a ride from a friend who was intoxicated, while 43% had tried to stop a drunk friend from driving. No significant differences were found between males and females regarding drinking and driving but grade level was a significant moderating factor. As grade level increased, the frequency of each alcohol-related behavior increased substantially (P < 0.01). This paper presents prevalence data concerning drinking and driving among rural youth as well as recommendations for community health education program development.