Trajectories and outcomes of adolescents that ride with an impaired driver/drive while impaired

For young drivers, independent transportation has been noted to offer them opportunities that can be beneficial as they enter early adulthood. However, those that choose to engage in riding with an impaired driver (RWI) and drive while impaired (DWI) over time can face negative consequences reducing such opportunities. This study examined the prospective association of identified longitudinal trajectory classes among adolescents that RWI and DWI with their later health, education, and employment in emerging adulthood. We analyzed all seven annual assessments (Waves, W1–W7) of the NEXT Generation Health Study, a nationally representative longitudinal study starting with 10th grade (2009–2010 school year). Using all seven waves, trajectory classes were identified by latent class analysis with RWI (last 12 months) and DWI (last 30 days) dichotomized as ≥ once = 1 vs. none = 0. Four RWI trajectories and four DWI trajectories were identified: abstainer, escalator, decliner, and persister. For RWI and DWI trajectories respectively, 45.0% (N = 647) and 76.2% (N = 1657) were abstainers, 15.6% (N = 226) and 14.2% (N = 337) were escalators, 25.0% (N = 352) and 5.4% (N = 99) were decliners, and 14.4% (N = 197) and 3.8% (N = 83) persisters. RWI trajectories were associated with W7 health status (χ2 = 13.20, p