Past research has shown that young drivers (aged 16-24) are overrepresented in fatal crashes and especially when alcohol is involved. Recent research has indicated that women are drinking and driving more often and that both the number and proportion of female drivers involved in fatal crashes is increasing.

Data from the Fatal Accident Reporting System (FARS), the Nationwide Personal Transportation Study (NPTS), driver licensing files and the Current Population Surveys were all used to calculate alcohol involvement rates in fatal crashes.

Results showed that 18-20 year old drivers had the highest number of intoxicated drivers in fatal crashes on a per mile driven basis, but that 21-24 year olds had the highest rates per licensed driver and per capita. Between 1982 and 1985, however, the 16-20 year olds showed the greatest decreases in alcohol involvement rates compared to older driver age groups. States with a minimum legal drinking age (MDA) of 21 had lower alcohol involvement rates per capita for 18-20 year olds than States with lower drinking ages even though the per capita alcohol consumption was higher in the MDA 21 States.

Although female alcohol involvement rates decreased between 1982 and 1985 almost as much as males (especially the 16-20 year olds), the rates for 21-24 year olds did not change during that 4 year period. Late night single vehicle fatal crashes indicated that alcohol involvement for female drivers was almost as high as male drivers.