2001 AAS State Report

2001 Alabama Adolescent Survey State Report

SAFETY

Which best describes you and alcohol?

Which best describes you and alcohol?

Gender

Accidents remain one of the top causes of death among an adolescent population. Most accidents do not occur on school grounds. However, many of the practices that youngsters may learn can occur in schools. Schools also can play a major role by helping students discuss and recognize what behaviors may place them at risk for accidents.

2001 Alabama Adolescent Survey State Report
SAFETY
How often do you wear a seatbelt in a car or other vehicle?


Gender	Responses	2001	1998
Female	All of the Time	32.0%	30.8%

	Most Of The Time	38.6%	35.5%

	Sometimes	17.5%	18.4%

	Rarely	9.8%	10.9%

	Never	2.2%	4.3%


Male	All of the Time	25.5%	26.5%

	Most Of The Time	33.4%	28.6%

	Sometimes	21.6%	20.5%

	Rarely	13.6%	12.1%

	Never	5.9%	11.9%




There was a 3% increase among 9th and 10th grade students, who wore their seatbelts most or all of the time, between 1998 and 2001. Females were more likely to wear their seatbelt than males.

2001 Alabama Adolescent Survey State Report
SAFETY
During the past month, about how many times did you ride with a driver who had used drugs or had been drinking before driving?


Gender	Responses	2001	1998	1993	1990	1988
Female	0 Times	61.1%	59.9%	N/A	65.5%	64.1%

	1-3 Times	25.5%	24.7%		23.8%	21.8%

	4-6 Times	4.8%	5.2%		4.5%	7.1%

	7-10 Times	2.5%	3.2%		2.5%	2.6%


	11-20 Times	2.6%	2.1%		0.6%	2.0%

	More than 20 Times	3.5%	4.9%		3.1%	2.4%

Male	0 Times	55.9%	52.0%	N/A	60.6%	62.8%

	1-3 Times	22.5%	22.0%		20.8%	19.1%


	4-6 Times	8.6%	8.7%		5.3%	8.6%

	7-10 Times	4.9%	5.6%		4.7%	4.7%

	11-20 Times	2.1%	4.3%		2.5%	1.3%

	More than 20 Times	6.0%	7.4%		5.8%	3.5%


Anytime a passenger rides with a driver who is substance impaired, they are at risk. Patterns of riding with impaired drivers have shown slight improvement. This activity is clearly not a function of school environment. Between a third and one-half of students have been at risk in a motor vehicle. Sometimes, students may not have any control or choice in these situations. Safety lessons in the school curricula should explore student options and alert students to the clear dangers of driving with impaired drivers. A school and community campaign designed to address these issues may be an additional approach that might impact on risk.

2001 Alabama Adolescent Survey State Report
SAFETY
Think back over the last two weeks. How many times (if any) have you had five or more drinks on one occasion? (A "drink" is a glass of wine, a wine cooler, a bottle of beer, a shot glass of liquor, or a mixed drink.)


Gender	Responses	2001	1998	1993	1990	1988
Female	None	70.0%	69.6%	70.6%	72.6%	73.8%

	Once	12.6%	11.8%	11.2%	9.6%	11.1%

	Twice	8.4%	9.2%	8.5%	7.3%	5.8%

	Three or More	9.1%	9.3%	9.6%	10.4%	9.2%
Male	None	55.2%	61.3%	61.3%	60.6%	60.8%

	Once	16.6%	11.9%	12.8%	12.8%	14.1%
	Twice	10.2%	10.5%	10.7%	7.6%	8.6%

	Three or More	13.1%	16.2%	14.4%	18.5%	16.1%


Alcohol is clearly the drug of choice among adolescents. Thirty-seven percent of 9th and 10th grade students reported binge drinking on at least one occasion during the two weeks prior to the survey. Males were 1.5 times more likely to binge drink than females. Binge drinking generally results in blood alcohol levels that are above legal levels for adults. Adolescents typically have less blood volume and it is likely that most binge-drinking adolescents have been significantly intoxicated. Binge drinking has strong implications for violent acts as well as for vehicle safety.