Regulating conditions of alcohol availability: possible effects on highway safety.

The question addressed in this paper is whether the prevalence of alcohol-impaired driving can be affected by modifying the conditions under which alcohol is available. Such an effect might be achieved in two general ways. First, the laws and policies governing availability might be altered to reduce the level of consumption, either in the population at large or in identifiable segments of the population thought to be at special risk for problem drinking. Second, even if prevailing levels of consumption remain unchanged, laws and policies relating to the conditions of availability might be selectively altered to reduce the likelihood that drinkers will drive while intoxicated. The paper summarizes available data concerning the effects of alcohol control policies on highway safety, and, in addition, focuses attention on the links between data and policy. Several preliminary observations are made concerning the considerations that should be taken into account in framing the role of the law in regulation of alcohol.