Factors related to miles driven between drinking and arrest locations among convicted drunk drivers

The objectives of the study were to estimate the distance driven between drinking and arrest locations among 3,107 offenders convicted of driving while impaired and to determine whether the drinking location, the driver's appearance (factors such as race, age, gender), or age of the vehicle account for any differences in the estimated distance driven. Statistical models were used to determine odds ratios for being arrested in the immediate vicinity of the drinking location, and for miles driven impaired. The independent sociodemographic and arrest variables included: age, gender, ethnicity/race, vehicle age, drinking location, whether the arrest followed a crash, time of arrest, blood alcohol concentration, and drinking in areas with varying levels of arrest intensity. The variables associated with arrest in the immediate vicinity of the drinking location (less than one half mile) were drinking in high or medium-high arrest intensity areas, Hispanic/Mexican ethnicity/nationality, Native American race, and drinking at home. Among those who were not arrested in the immediate vicinity, the number of miles driven ranged from 0.5 to 18.2, with a mean of 3.4 miles (median = 2.6). Analysis of covariance demonstrated that among those arrested outside the immediate vicinity of their drinking locations, persons who drank in a high or medium-high arrest intensity area, those with blood alcohol concentrations of ≥ 200 mg/1, and those drinking at bars, restaurants, or private parties, drove fewer miles compared to other offenders. Our findings are mixed regarding ethnicity/race. Traits such as age, gender, and vehicle age are unrelated to how far drunk drivers travel before their arrests.