An evaluation of the effects of the zero tolerance law on underage drinking and driving behaviors

Adolescent drinking and driving is a major problem in the United States accounting for one-third of all motor vehicle fatalities in those aged 15 to 20. Since 1982 the rate of underage alcohol-related motor vehicle fatalities has declined. Zero tolerance laws for underage drinking and driving have been credited for contributing to this decline. The objectives of this study are: (1) To examine the evidence in the scientific literature for the effectiveness of zero tolerance laws in causing the reduction in underage alcohol-related motor vehicle fatalities. (2) To determine if knowledge of the zero tolerance law is related to lower odds of engaging in drinking and driving behaviors. (3) To determine if knowledge of the zero tolerance law is related directly to drinking and driving or if it affects drinking and driving through drinking and driving related perceptions.; Data was collected at college campuses in a suburban Maryland county using a questionnaire designed for this study. Subjects were asked about their knowledge of the zero tolerance law, their perceptions as to peer and adult opinions, perceived behavioral control, injury susceptibility, injury severity, legal susceptibility, legal severity, drinking and driving behaviors, and demographic information. There was a total of 388 responses. Analysis was conducted using bivariate and multivariate logistic regression and multivariate regression. Analysis was conducted on the total sample and by gender.; Based on the literature there is evidence for the effectiveness of zero tolerance laws in decreasing underage alcohol-related motor vehicle fatalities. In this study, higher knowledge of the law was related to lower intent to drink and driving, driving after consuming one to four drinks, and driving after five or more drinks. For the total population knowledge of the law was directly related to lower drinking and driving even when perceptions of other drinking and driving related variables were controlled for. For females, it was not directly related but adult disapproval was related to knowledge of the law and to lower odds of drinking and driving. Despite the high knowledge of the zero tolerance law in this population, there were still high rates of drinking and driving suggesting that additional study of adolescents who drink and drive is needed to effectively address this problem.