Alcohol-Related Vehicular Death Rates for College Students in the Commonwealth of Virginia |
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Authors: | James Turner MD Jennifer Bauerle PhD Adrienne Keller PhD |
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Institution: | 1. Department of Student Health , University of Viginia , Charlottesville, Virginia;2. National Social Norms Institute , University of Virginia , Charlottesville, Virginia |
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Abstract: | Abstract Objective: Determine rate of college student alcohol-related vehicular traffic fatalities in Virginia during 2007. Participants: Undergraduates at colleges and universities in Virginia. Methods: Institutions with membership in the American College Health Association were invited to participate in a survey. Data collected from institutional reports of student deaths due to vehicular accidents. Results: Twenty-four institutions were invited to participate. Sixteen responded (response rate = 67%), comprising total enrollment of 117,100 for 17- to 24-year-olds (56% of total college population in state). Five traffic deaths were reported, representing 4.3 deaths per 100,000 students. Based on statewide statistics that estimate alcohol contributes to 38.9% of traffic deaths, rate of alcohol-related motor vehicle deaths is 1.7 deaths per 100,000 college students in Virginia, which is 89% lower than leading national estimates. Conclusions: These findings suggest that past estimates of alcohol-related vehicular deaths among college students are overstated. |
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Keywords: | alcohol college students injury prevention enforcement |
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