A special study of the alcohol/drug problem associated with the "most responsible" drivers in fatal collisions occurring in the Greater Boston area is at present being conducted. The study is designed to answer four questions in the human/ psychological/alcohol/drug areas with regard to these drivers:​ (1) differences between most responsible drivers who kill themselves (Type I), most responsible drivers who kill another driver or passenger (Type II), and drivers who kill pedestrians (Type III);​ (2) differences between alcohol-involved and non alcoholinvolved drivers;​ (3) differences between alcohol-involved drivers and drivers arrested for DWI;​ and (4) differences between drivers involved in fatal collisions within the Boston ASAP geographic area and those occurring outside the ASAP area. This paper describes results pertaining to question #1.

Type II drivers were found to be quite different from Type I and Type III drivers. Significant findings for Type II drivers included suicide attempt histories, driving without a license, job loss due to alcohol abuse, smoking marijuana, and other drugs involved in the crash. Significant accident causal factors included unfamiliarity with the accident vehicle and passenger distraction for Type II drivers. Age may be accounting for some of the factors, but not all. Single vehicle and multiple vehicle crashes will be controlled for in further analyses. Results are related to the Boston ASAP countermeasures programs.