Trends in alcohol-related traffic fatalities, by sex--United States, 1982-1990.

For 1990, the number of traffic fatalities (44,529) reported in the United States was the lowest number reported since 1985 (1). However, limited studies appear to indicate that the proportion of female drivers involved in fatal crashes and the proportion arrested for driving while intoxicated may be increasing (2-4). This report summarizes data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) Fatal Accident Reporting System on trends in alcohol-related traffic fatalities (ARTFs) among females and males in the United States from 1982 through 1990. In addition, a quarterly table (page 199 of this issue) presents data on alcohol involvement in fatal motor-vehicle crashes in the United States for January-March 1991.