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Aims: This paper examines trends and correlates of alcohol‐involved motor vehicle crashes (AMVCs) in California between 2005 and 2016 among Hispanic and non‐Hispanic Whites (Whites hereafter). Together these two groups comprise 76% of the state population. The paper also examines whether alcohol outlet density, percentage of Hispanics in census tract populations, and distance to the U.S./Mexico border are related to greater risks for AMVCs. The border is of interest given the greater availability of alcohol in the area. Methods: Crash data come from Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System maintained by the California Highway Patrol. Sociodemographic and community characteristics data from the U.S. Census and alcohol outlet density were aggregated to census tracts. Total motor vehicle crashes and AMVCs were related to these characteristics using hierarchical Bayesian Poisson space–time models. Results: There were over two million injury and fatality crashes during the period of analysis, of which 11% were AMVCs. About 1.7% of these crashes had fatalities. The rate of AMVCs increased among both Whites and Hispanics until 2008. After 2008, the rate among Whites declined through 2016 while the rate among Hispanics declined for 2 years (2009 and 2010) and increased thereafter. Crash distance from the border (RR = 1.016, 95% CI = 1.010 to 1.022) and percent Hispanic population (RR = 1.006; 95% CI = 1.003 to 1.009) were well‐supported results with 95% credible intervals that did not include 1. The percentages of the following: bars/pubs, males, individuals aged 18 to 29 and 40 to 49 years, U.S. born population, individuals below the 150% poverty level, unemployed, housing vacant, and housing owner‐occupied were all positively associated with AMVCs and well supported. Conclusions: Between 2005 and 2016 the rate of AMVCs in California declined among Whites but not among Hispanics. Population‐level indicators of percent Hispanic population, distance to the U.S. Mexico border, gender, age distribution, and socioeconomic stability were positively associated with crash rates, indicating that important contextual characteristics help determine the level of AMVC rates in communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: About 30% of all motor vehicle fatalities in the United States are associated with alcohol‐impaired motor vehicle crashes. Arrests for drinking and driving (Driving under the influence [DUI]) are 1 of the most important deterrence actions to minimize DUI. This paper examines trends and population‐level correlates of drinking driving arrests (DUI) from 2005 to 2017 in California. Methods: Arrest data come from the Monthly Arrest and Citation Register compiled by the California Department of Justice. Sociodemographic and community characteristic data from the U.S. Census, alcohol outlet density, and distance to the U.S.–Mexico border from Law Enforcement Reporting Areas (LERA) centroids were aggregated at the level of 499 LERA contributing to the report. Reported arrest rates were related to area sociodemographic characteristics using hierarchical Bayesian Poisson space–time models. Results: Both among men and women rates showed an upward trend until 2008, decreasing after that year. DUI arrest rates were greater among Hispanics than Whites for the 2 younger age groups, 18 to 29 (p < 0.001) and 30 to 39 years (p < 0.001). DUI arrest rates in LERA areas are positively related to proximity to the California/Mexico border; a higher percent of bar/pub outlets; a higher percent of Hispanic population; a higher percent of population 18 to 29, 30 to 39, and 40 to 49 years of age; a higher percent of US‐born population; a higher percent of population with annual income of $100,000 or more; a higher percent of population 150% below the federal poverty line; and a higher level of law‐enforcement activities. Conclusions: Results of this analysis of spatial correlates of DUI arrests overlap well with the literature on individual‐level data and arrest rates. The decrease in arrest rates as distance to the California/Mexico border increases is potentially associated with the greater availability of alcohol in the border area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]