ALCOHOL FACTOR

There were 741 fatalities during 1998. Of the fatalities, 403 were drivers, 163 were passengers, 156 were pedestrians and 19 were pedalcyclists. Of this total, 579 were tested for alcohol and 162 were not tested. Of the 579 tested, 159 were positive for alcohol in varying degrees and 386 were negative. This indicates that 27.4% of the fatalities tested were positive for alcohol and 66.6% were negative. Twenty-five drivers, four passengers, four pedestrians and one pedalcyclists tested positive for drugs.

In 134 of the 671 accidents, Driving While Intoxicated was listed as the major contributing factor (includes 3 "drunken bicyclists").

There were 144 people killed as a result of these 134 accidents.

1.) Drivers: There were a total of 403 drivers killed of which 342 were tested. Of those tested, 95 were positive and 222 were negative, indicating 27.7% had consumed an alcoholic beverage. Of the 95 imbibing drivers, 71 or 74.7% had an alcohol level of .10% or higher. Twenty-five deceased drivers tested positive for drugs.

Surviving: There were a total of 673 surviving drivers of which 195 were tested. Of those, 56 were positive and 135 were negative, indicating 28.7% had consumed an alcoholic beverage. Of the 56 imbibing drivers, 45 or 80.3% had an alcohol level of .10% or higher. Four surviving drivers tested positive for drugs.

2.) Passengers: There were a total of 163 passengers killed of which 98 were tested. Of those tested, 24 were positive and 70 negative, indicating 24.4% had consumed an alcoholic beverage. Four passengers tested positive for drugs.

3.) Pedestrians: There were a total of 156 pedestrians killed of which 125 were tested. Of those tested, 36 were positive and 85 were negative for an alcohol factor of 28.8%. Four pedestrians tested positive for drugs.

4.) Pedalcyclists: There were a total of 19 pedalcyclists killed of which 14 were tested. Of those tested, 4 were positive and 9 were negative, indicating that 28.5% had consumed an alcoholic beverage. One pedalcyclist tested positive for drugs.

NOTE: Four surviving drivers tested positive for drugs and two surviving drivers were listed as "Had been drinking."

EVALUATION:

1998 showed slight decrease in alcohol-related fatalities, continuing the downward trend. The number of fatal accident victims with blood alcohol readings above .10% decreased from 126 in 1997 to 110 in 1998, a decrease of 12.6%. Deceased drivers showed a slight decrease when compared to 1997. Of those drivers tested in each category, deceased drivers showed a decrease of 7.7% and surviving drivers showed an increase of 15.3% in the .10% and over category.

Victim Alcohol Factors - 1998

LEGEND: Had been drinking: includes those delayed deaths where an odor of alcohol was detected. Includes admittance of victim (in delayed death) or statements of witnesses. Includes lab reports which show a trace and not a percentage, or reading below 0.01%.

NEGATIVE: Tested and found to be negative.

NO TEST: Because of delayed death, age factor, contamination of samples, and the failure on the part of some investigative agencies and medical examiners to cause a test to be performed on victims.

NOTE: Twenty-five drivers, four passengers, four pedestrians and one pedalcyclist tested positive for drugs